Drive Smart, Ignore Your Phone

Drive smart, IGNORE YOUR PHONE In the 5 seconds it takes to send a text message while travelling at 55mph your car has travelled the length of a football field. You are 23 times more Likely to be in an accident while texting. Using a mobile phone when driving delays your reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit. In 2014 1.6% of all drivers in England and Scotland were observed using a hand-held phone while driving. Talking on a hands-free phone is just as dangerous as talking on a hand-held one. Research shows that it is the call itself which is the distraction. 30 Drivers under 30 are the biggest culprits with 5.2% of people under 30 being caught flouting the law. Van drivers are the worst offenders with 2.7% being caught, versus 1.4% of car drivers and A study of in-vehicle video footage estimated that 22% of crashes could be caused at least in part by driver distraction. 1.2% of lorry drivers. A study by Brake & Direct line reported 45% of people admitted to talking on a mobile in the car 30% of people have driven while sending or reading a message on their phone 13% of people admitted to flouting the law and talking on a hand-held device. But this has dropped considerably as 36% admitted in 2006 44% of young drivers (18-24) have driven while sending or receiving a message, and 19% admitted to doing it monthly or more often 12% of people admitted to using the internet, social media or apps at the wheel 23% people said they didn't think it was dangerous to use a mobile when driving, while 8% were unsure 11% of people send or receive texts while driving monthly or more Tips to stop texting while driving When you get in your car put your phone in a place you can't access. Turn off notifications on your phone to stop distractions. If you have a passenger ask them to read the text to you if needed. Try these apps The Law It is illegal to use a handheld mobile iZup directs calls to voicemail and waits to deliver text messages to when driving including when you're at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. you when the car comes to a complete stop. If you're caught using a handheld phone you can get 3 penalty points and a fine of Drivesafe.ly reads texts and emails aloud and can automatically £100. respond without having to touch the phone. If you get 6 points within the first 2 years of driving you will lose your license. You can be prosecuted if you are using a hands- free phone while driving if you're not in proper control of the vehicle. Sources Rospa, Gov.uk, Department for Transport For more information: Call 24/7 on 0800 689 0500 or from your mobile 0333 500 0993 or you can visit www.accidentadvicehelpline.co.uk accident advice helpine