Drivers still offending 10 years on

Using a phone while driving decreases reaction times, judgement and general awareness of other traffic. Credit: Paul Oka

A campaign has been launched to raise awareness about the risks of using your mobile phone while driving.

Road Safety Wales aims to deter motorists from using phones while driving and promote safety via the campaign between 8 and 21 October.

A report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents shows that using a phone while driving affects driver performance.

RoSPA’s road safety manager for Wales said, “A lot of drivers think they won’t get caught, but when they hear about a campaign like this they are not so complacent and it does make a difference.”

Next year will mark 10 years since using a phone while driving became an offence. The current penalty is a £60 fine and 3 penalty points.

Leigh and Adrian have witnessed motorists using mobile phones in Cardiff

A look at the law 10 years on

As the tenth anniversary approaches since using a mobile phone while driving became illegal, how many people are still offending and why?

A 2012 study by the AA showed that 42% of motorists said they had a used a mobile phone while driving. RoSPA reported that police detected 1,000 mobile phone driving offences last year in Wales. However, a study in 2000 by Green Flag stated that 37% of 1,000 motorists asked used a mobile phone while driving.

The increase in this offence is directly linked with the rise in mobile phone ownership and changes in phone functionality.

Ofcom research last year revealed that over a quarter of adults own a smartphone with 37% of these admitting that they were “highly addicted”. Such behaviour is reflected in mobile phone use while driving as the AA has reported an increase in motorists accessing social media and emails.

The AA’s research showed that texting while driving is still the number one activity, with 20% of motorists admitting this, but reading and sending emails came second and third. There has also been an increase in motorists using Facebook and Twitter while driving.

Last week it emerged that two school bus drivers had been caught using their phones while driving. This is just one example of more and more cases materializing of professionals being caught using their phones while driving company vehicles.

When asked on Twitter about cases of this is in Cardiff, Leigh Osborne Tweeted, “Was shocked to see a Driving Instructor on A48 in Cardiff on his mobile phone, doing 60 mph” and Adrian Burton said, “Regularly see lorry drivers/white van man using mobiles on Ocean Way.” (See left)

For more information about the campaign visit Road Safety Wales website. Or for information on mobile phone safety go to RoSPA’s advice and information site.