Car mobile phone use still rife
Nearly a quarter of all car drivers still use their mobile phones when at the wheel, according to a new report.
The whatcar.com survey finds that 24 per cent of drivers admit to using the handheld device when in the car, placing Department of Transport (DfT) figures suggesting that only 1.5 per cent of drivers do in doubt.
It also reveals that 8.6 per cent of motorists use their phone all the time, making them four times more likely to be involved in an accident.
What Car? group editor Steve Fowler said: “Our survey proves handheld mobile phone use at the wheel is a far more widespread problem than the DfT thinks.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re only making a quick call – handheld phones are dangerously distracting.”
He also called for handsfree kits to be provided with every new phone sold and more traffic police to enforce the law.
Road safety minister Stephen Ladyman responded to the survey by saying: “I’m pleased that the results still show that drivers who think it’s acceptable to use their phones without stopping are in the minority.
“We stand by our survey work as an objective way to monitor use. We’ll also be monitoring annual prosecution figures.”
DfT figures were based on a “snapshot” survey of 100,000 drivers, he said, and the only available prosecution figures for December 2003 show 1,888 fixed penalty fines were imposed.
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: “The road safety bill, which is currently before parliament, will make driving while using a mobile phone an endorsable offence.
“We hope that the additional penalty points will concentrate the minds of drivers on the implications of offending and its consequences.”
But using handsfree kits as a safe alternative has also been put into doubt.
Mary Williams, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, said: “Many drivers think using a handsfree kit is a safe option, but research clearly shows that it increases the risk of crashing several times over.”
She called for a complete ban on using phones while driving and an increase from the current penalty of three penalty points and a £60 fine.
