Survey Results: A Third of UK Drivers Text at The Wheel

[RobBrady]

PocketGPSWorld.com visitors recently helped GPS navigation developer Sygic with their survey of UK drivers - the results are in and it's not encouraging reading.

Sygic found that almost a third (32%) of drivers confessed to texting whilst in their cars during the past month, despite the fact that over 90 per cent know it is illegal and that they risk three points on their licence and a fine.

Research by the RAC found that texting whilst driving can slow down reaction times by as much as 35 per cent and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, believes it makes drivers four times more likely to crash, injuring or killing themselves or others.

Sygic say that despite the law banning drivers from using handheld mobile devices whilst driving being in force since December 2003, over one fifth of cars still don’t have the necessary hands-free equipment fitted. Their research found that 22 per cent didn’t have a mobile phone cradle or built-in hands-free kit in their car or Bluetooth equipment for use with their device.

"It’s shocking that almost six years on, car owners are still breaking the law and using their phones at the wheel,” said Anna Hurbanic of Sygic. “There is plenty of equipment on the market which is designed to improve safety so drivers can focus on the road and not on their phone."
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Robert Brady

[mostdom]

[mattstachurski]

It was not the most detailed of surveys, I may be wrong but I remember the question as have you read a text while behind the wheel? This does not ask if you were moving or stuck in traffic? Or indeed if you replied? I'd be interested to see the question again. If I read a text while stuck in traffic am I as much of a danger as someone writing a text while doing 70 down the motorway? Just a thought. To me the survey says 32% confess to reading a text while in the car. Anyone got a copy of the survey?

[RobBrady]

[stuartb]

This snippet of a 30 minute film is "popular" on the 'Net right now. I was told about it by some family in the US even though it was made in Wales. Not sure why the whole film is not up anywhere (it was on bbc iplayer but not now). Powerful and graphic way to try to get through to texting addicts perhaps:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3x7K3EOTk

Stuart

[shricthism]

This is a very odd statistic - most people I know don't have handsfree equipment fited - but also they don't use their mobiles when in their cars - so whats the problem. I think this is much safer than useing handsfree equipment which still removes driver attention from the road.

[BigPerk]

The problem (for me) is when they have NOT got hands-free but DO use it - my problem is being nearly sent to an early (for an OAP) grave by people driving without ANY awareness of what/who's around them, especially when they are driving with one hand (round corners trying to beat a level crossing gate as well).

I rest my case, but fortunately (so far) not my soul
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

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