Distracted Driving

With road fatality rates caused by distracted drivers on the increase, why are people still not getting the message?

Studies show that you’re four times more likely to crash if you use a mobile phone while driving. Reaction times for drivers using a phone are around 50% slower than normal driving, and even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text. All it takes is a split-second lapse in concentration to result in a potentially fatal crash.
Research shows that you are three times more likely to get into a crash while engaging in activities such as dialling and texting, or using other portable devices.

Studies show that one in six male drivers under the age of 25 has cashed due to mobile phone usage. Alarmingly, 18% of under 25’s have played the ‘Draw Something’ app while they’re behind the wheel.

Your eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds during the process of sending a text. This is the equivalent of covering the length of a football field blindfolded when travelling at a speed of around 55mph.

Alan Kennedy, director of Road Safety GB, said: “Using a mobile while driving significantly reduces driving concentration levels. It also significantly reduces a driver’s peripheral vision making the task of driving safely impossible.

“Drivers must be made aware of these issues and those that fail to adhere to the law should be removed from driving for the safety of themselves and other road users.”

However it is not only the use of technology that’s causing havoc on our roads, eating and drinking behind the wheel is also responsible for a number of accidents and collisions.

A few weeks ago a van driver hit and killed a cyclist, and left an 80-year old woman paralysed due to eating while driving.

In 2012, there were 17 deaths, 79 serious injuries and 452 other injuries caused by distracted motorists.

The Sunday Express launched a crusade calling for a jail term of eight years minimum to those who cause death or serious injury while driving and texting simultaneously. Drivers, especially young drivers, need to buckle up and take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.

Although these figures have seen a decrease since 2010, when there were 28 deaths in total, distraction is still a serious problem that needs to be addressed in order to keep our roads safe.

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