Phone use while driving hits epidemic levels
New research has found that phone use while driving has reached epidemic levels among younger drivers.
A survey of 2,000 motorists by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that 43% of drivers aged 17-24 admitted to reading and writing messages while driving in the last 12 months, while 34% said they had used their phone camera to take pictures or videos while behind the wheel.
In terms of frequency, 16% said they read or sent messages on at least half their journeys and 13% said they took pictures or videos half the time they drove their car.
Using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel is illegal, even when stopped at traffic lights or in a queue, with potential penalties including a £200 fine and six penalty points. Drivers who passed their test in the last two years also risk having their licence revoked.
Department for Transport data found that there were 154 people killed or seriously injured where using a mobile device was identified as a factor last year.
Dicing with death
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “The statistics show that a troubling number of young people are not only dicing with death, but they are also putting themselves at huge financial risk giving into the urge of using their smart phone.
“While the fear of missing out appears to be a huge problem when behind the wheel, younger drivers should be far more worried about the implications of illegal phone use.
“Even if the risk of a serious collision isn’t enough to deter this behaviour, losing your licence so early on will stunt your employment chances, disrupt education and will put you at a significant financial disadvantage.
“Enforcement remains one of the best tools to combat the epidemic of illegal phone use at the wheel, and would-be criminals should be aware that forces are using new cameras to catch people. Education is also important; young people need to realise that using a phone at the wheel can have devastating consequences.”
