Almost One In Five Young Drivers Make Video Calls At The Wheel
The number of people using hand-held phones whilst driving is rising, with video calls becoming particularly prevalent…
Video Calls At The Wheel
New data has revealed that nearly one in five young drivers has made a video call, on a hand-held phone, whilst driving. Whilst 8% of all drivers have done so, the figure rises to 18% amongst drivers aged between 17 and 24. The figure sits at 13% for drivers aged between 25 and 44, too. The disturbing figures come from the RAC’s annual report on motoring in the UK. It surveyed 3,068 motorists on a number of driving-related issues. It discovered that 9% of drivers aged between 17 and 24 had played mobile phone games whilst driving; being three times more likely to do so than any other demographic.
These figures are bound to alarm road safety campaigners, who have already noted that mobile phone use from behind the wheel has effectively plateaued; failing to decline over the last ten years. According to the RAC’s report, mobile phone use whilst behind the wheel is actually the second biggest concern of British drivers; followed by the state of the nation’s local roads. It’s not too surprising, then, that 32% said that they were concerned by the problem. A further 79% want police and local authorities to use camera technology to catch offenders.
A Clear And Present Danger
Simon Williams, a spokesman for the RAC, has stated that the problem of mobile phone use amongst drivers simply isn’t going away. He said, “our figures highlight what many drivers already know; that the problem of illegal phone use at the wheel has far from disappeared”. He continued, “while there’s been a reduction in some elements of this dangerous activity, more people say they are making and taking calls now than at any point since 2016, shortly before tougher penalties were introduced. And the rise in the popularity of video calls means this type of communication represents a new, clear and present danger on the UK’s roads in 2020″.
Inspector Frazer Davey from Avon and Somerset Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said using a mobile phone whilst driving could be ‘catastrophic’. He said, “the importance of concentrating on your driving cannot be overstated. Using a mobile phone while in charge of a car puts you and everyone else at risk. The consequences of allowing yourself to be distracted while you are driving can be catastrophic. It’s simply not worth it”. As of now, the government is officially investigating the role infotainment systems and in-car technology might be contributing to driver distractions; and, ultimately, accidents and fatalities. In addition, it’s also exploring the technology it might be able to use as effective deterrents.
Half Of Young Drivers Feel Intimidated And Bullied On The Road – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/half-of-young-drivers-feel-intimidated-and-bullied-on-the-road/
Driving Distractions: Road Charity Claims More Must Be Done – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/driving-distractions-road-charity-claims-more-must-be-done/
