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  1. Published on: 16/09/2016 06:52 AMReported by: roving-eye
    A worrying shift in attitudes to mobile phone use behind the wheel has caused an “alarming” rise in the number of people making calls, texting and even recording videos illegally when they should be paying attention to the road.



    According to findings published as part of the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 released today, the number of drivers who own up to using a handheld mobile phone has increased from 8% in 2014 to 31% today.

    Additionally, there has been a rise in drivers sending a text, email or posting on social media, with the figure increasing from 7% two years ago to 19% today.

    But it is not just texts and calls that people are making when they should be focusing on the road, as 14% admitted to taking photos and videos with their phone – something which can cause a disturbing increase in the risk of accidents and crashes.

    It is thought that as many as 11 million motorists could now be making or receiving a call while driving and an astonishing five million taking photos or videos.

    RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “It is alarming to see that some drivers have clearly relaxed their attitudes to the risks associated with this behaviour but more worryingly is the increase in the percentage of motorists who actually admit to using a handheld device when driving.”

    The rise could be down to a shift in attitudes, with the proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone doubling from 7% in 2014 to 14% in 2016.

    Alongside this, there has been a rise in the percentage of drivers who feel it is safe to check social media posts on their phone when in stationary traffic from 14% in 2014 to 20% in 2016.

    It is these attitudes which the RAC has said should become the main focus of efforts to make the use of handheld mobiles phones at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.

    Mr Williams said: “The RAC is also calling on the Government to invest in a high-profile awareness campaign to highlight the danger of using a handheld phone at the wheel and to drive home the message that it simply won’t be tolerated.”

    Drivers currently risk a penalty of a minimum £100 fine and three points on their licence for using their mobile phone behind the wheel.

    But these could be poised to increase after a Government consultation, with the minimum fine likely to rise to £150 and the points penalty to go up to four for non-HGV drivers and to six for HGV drivers.

    However, many drivers believe that harsher penalties will fail to deter people from illegally using their phone when driving, according to the results of a separate poll.

    The RAC has said it would welcome these changes, while adding that they need to be backed up with a rise in roads policing officers to help enforce them.

    Mr Williams said: “With compliance on some traffic laws including the use of handheld mobile phones seemingly getting worse, the RAC calls for an end to cuts to dedicated roads policing and urges the Government and chief constables to give greater priority to enforcement of road traffic laws.”

    Useful links: Report Cyber Crime | Stop Nuisance Calls & Mail | Daily Covid Stats (updated 4pm) | Covid excess deaths in your area | Local NHS Resources | What 3 Words





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  3. BrigNowPort says:16/09/2016 07:28 AM
    I suppose that as the number of police road patrols has seemingly dropped to practically nil, drivers are slipping in to bad habits; they know the chances of being caught for mobile phone use - or any other motoring offence for that matter - are now so low that they are prepared to flout the law.
    There was almost always a patrol vehicle on the dual carriageway at Tarleton, ready to pounce on anyone driving over the 50mph speed limit, but I haven't seen the police there for months - even my speed is creeping up on that stretch!
    It's one thing to put these laws into place - enforcing them with dwindling resources is another matter.

  4. Ceam says:16/09/2016 09:23 AM
    Penalty is no where near harsh enough that's why.

    Instant ban. There is no excuse, and people who text while driving should have their bloody hands cut off.

  5. oldduffer says:16/09/2016 10:15 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Ceam View Post
    Penalty is no where near harsh enough that's why.

    Instant ban. There is no excuse, and people who text while driving should have their bloody hands cut off.
    Slight tad OTT ?

  6. FormbyHightown says:16/09/2016 01:36 PM
    The number of people you see with tablets, let alone phablets, while driving has also increased. I regularly drive in Southport and along the Coastal Road and the number of people visibly using mobile 'phones while driving increase daily.

    The number of cyclists using mobile 'phones also reached a dangerous level. The number of cyclists who've wobbled into my driving line is worrying.

  7. Greywolf says:16/09/2016 02:31 PM
    I was coming back from Kew this morning. As I crossed Kew Road heading back along Guildford Road, A prat in a big 4X4 who was parked on the pavement on the Ormskirk side of the road, just U turned across me and the vehicle coming the other way. Phone stuck to his ear as he did. Even when both of us blasted our horns, he took no notice.

  8. Ceam says:16/09/2016 02:56 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by oldduffer View Post
    Slight tad OTT ?
    Is it really. Tell that to those who loose family members because someone thinks texting their partner is more important than keeping control of over a tonne of metal.




    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-37283994

  9. Gestetna says:16/09/2016 03:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by BrigNowPort View Post
    I suppose that as the number of police road patrols has seemingly dropped to practically nil, drivers are slipping in to bad habits; they know the chances of being caught for mobile phone use - or any other motoring offence for that matter - are now so low that they are prepared to flout the law.
    There was almost always a patrol vehicle on the dual carriageway at Tarleton, ready to pounce on anyone driving over the 50mph speed limit, but I haven't seen the police there for months - even my speed is creeping up on that stretch!
    It's one thing to put these laws into place - enforcing them with dwindling resources is another matter.
    ..................
    This item is reporting,"Mobile Phone Use When Driving "
    Totally Amazed at your comment, "even my speed is creeping up on that stretch! "
    We read on the site Last week about Driver Improvement and Awareness Free Course,Hope this helps you,
    Stay Safe,

  10. silver fox says:16/09/2016 07:43 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Ceam View Post
    Penalty is no where near harsh enough that's why.

    Instant ban. There is no excuse, and people who text while driving should have their bloody hands cut off.
    Chopping their hands of not good, the rest of us will have to keep the tossers on benefits for ever, but certainly should be treated like drink driving at least, all tests show that in fact it is even more dangerous than drink driving, instant ban minimum 12 months, then retake test before license issued.

    To all those who feel that message is so damned important, how many have made or taken a call which was truly a matter of life or death? because that is how too many regard their mobiles.

  11. bensherman says:18/09/2016 11:20 AM
    Virtually every phone sold now has Bluetooth.

    Most new cars for several years have had Bluetooth installed.

    Yet I still see people driving expensive, late-model cars using a hand-held phone.

    It takes about 10 minutes to set up your Bluetooth connection.

    Apparently these people are too busy to invest that ten minutes.

    Like those who start driving the car and then put on their set belt. Thus saving-what- 30 seconds precious time.

  12. Ceam says:18/09/2016 05:51 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by bensherman View Post
    Virtually every phone sold now has Bluetooth.

    Most new cars for several years have had Bluetooth installed.

    Yet I still see people driving expensive, late-model cars using a hand-held phone.

    It takes about 10 minutes to set up your Bluetooth connection.

    Apparently these people are too busy to invest that ten minutes.

    Like those who start driving the car and then put on their set belt. Thus saving-what- 30 seconds precious time.

    Can't say I really agree with doing this either if I'm honest, but it's certainly a lesser evil.

    There are now cars that will read out your facebook messages. WTF do you need that for?


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