Do you know what the top concern of the UK’s majority of drivers is? It’s the other driver using phone while driving, according to the 2020 Report on Motoring. About 13 million people believe so, almost a third (32%) of the UK’s 40 million drivers in total.
It is not easy to come up with an accurate figure on the number of accidents that result from the driver using a phone while driving. However, 43 deaths and 135 serious injuries were recorded in the UK during 2017, according to a House of Commons Transport Committee Road Safety Report published in 2019.
THINK! is a famous road safety campaign. It claims that studies show that using mobile phones while driving affects the drivers’ response time in recognising and reacting to potential hazards on the road.
Table of Contents
- The 2020 Report on Motoring Stats on Motorists Using Phone While Driving
- How Does Using a Phone While Driving Cause Distraction?
- UK Laws on Using Mobile Phones While Driving
- When Can You Use a Handheld Mobile Phone Driving a Vehicle?
- How Can You Receive a Phone Call Minimising the Distractions & Risks?
- Conclusion
The 2020 Report on Motoring Stats on Motorists Using Phone While Driving
The 2020 Report on Motoring has come up with some alarming stats in this regard on motorists who admit to using mobile phones while driving.
- The majority of people consider using phones while driving UK roads as their second biggest concern regarding road safety in the country
- 29% of motorists in 2020 admit using a handheld mobile phone at least occasionally while driving
- About 18% of drivers aged between 17 years to 24 years admit engaging in video calls while driving
- Frighteningly, 9% of the drivers falling within the same age bracket (17 – 24 years) say they often play games on their phones even when behind the wheels
- 15% of drivers also admit checking their emails, texts and social media while driving
The report also reveals that:
- A significant majority of UK drivers (about 55%) are of the view that police should combat handheld phone use while driving more proactively
- A staggering 79% of UK drivers are in favour of introducing advanced camera technology in the identification of illegal mobile phone users
How Does Using a Phone While Driving Cause Distraction?
Even the most careful drivers cannot get away from a momentary lapse in concentration due to an incoming text or call. And that split second distraction often turns out as the most significant factor in stopping timely and crashing a vehicle.
To better understand this, we should explore distraction under these circumstances further.
What is a distraction for someone behind the wheel?
When a driver ends up paying more attention to any activity other than driving, it’s a distraction. Multitasking doesn’t remain a safe option when driving, especially when the second activity is a bit complex or time-consuming.
Since the second activity also needs attention from the driver, it is highly likely to affect their concentration more than when they are not performing any other action. As a result, the driver’s observation level may suffer, compromising their level of control over their vehicle. The ability of drivers to anticipate hazards lowers substantially under such conditions, increasing the probability of crashes and accidents due to the distraction.
Things are happening quickly on the road. So, you need to be proactive in avoiding any inconvenience for you and other vehicles on the road. Many drivers believe they are too good or too experienced to prevent mishaps, but it’s more an illusion than reality. Any lapse in concentration, no matter how short it seems, can lead to a crash.
You’re overlooking an important factor here. Your experience may help you avoid making any mistakes, but can it help compensate for some other driver’s miscalculation? Of course not. Balancing other driver’s omissions is only possible if you’re fully aware and in control of your vehicle, which won’t be the case if you are distracted by your mobile.
See here: Best Travel Apps
What are different types of driver distraction?
You must not use a handheld phone while driving because it can create multiple types of distractions, such as visual distraction, cognitive distraction, biomechanical and auditory distraction.
Visual Distraction
Vision is one of the most important senses for safe driving. And a visual distraction happens when a driver sees objects or events capable of impairing their observation of the road environment. The more attention such objects or events demand from the driver, the less attention they dedicate to the road environment. The complex and attention-seeking visual distractions make it difficult for drivers to identify the main hazards ahead. While a driver’s attention is drawn to a visual distraction, responding to an unexpected event takes slightly more time than when they’re not distracted. And we all know that these fractions of seconds can become a matter of life and death when driving on the road.
You can explore more on this topic on The Impact of Internal Distraction on Driver Visual Behavior.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distraction occurs when a driver thinks about something not directly related to the driving task. It can lead to “inattention blindness” – a condition where drivers look through the windscreen but cannot efficiently process what’s in their field of view. Again, this can result in delayed identification and response to potential hazards on the road. A National Safety Council White Paper refers to a particular tendency of drivers using hands-free mobile phones – ‘look at’ but ‘not see’ tendency. When so, the drivers cannot ‘see’ up to 50% of the information that their brain receives through their eyes. So, if you were wondering if you can use a hands-free phone while driving, here’s is something to relate to.
Biomechanical Distraction
It’s the kind of distraction occurring due to the driver’s engagement in some physical activity not directly related to the driving task. For instance, reaching out for something while driving, moving out of the optimal position to drive, holding an item, and so forth.
Auditory Distraction
When a driver fails to make the best use of their hearing ability due to some sound that’s not a part of the driving process – an auditory distraction is occurring. The driver’s response to an unexpected event might be delayed by paying more attention to that sound rather than the driving environment.
Many studies all over the world have concluded similarly. Using a mobile phone while driving impacts the driver’s performance negatively in several different ways, such as:
- Inability to see road signs and other hazards in the driving environment
- Failure to maintain appropriate lane position
- Failure to keep track of the vehicle’s speed and follow the legal speed limits
- Lapse in maintaining a proper distance from the cars ahead (tailgating)
- Lowered overall awareness of the traffic and surroundings
UK Laws on Using Mobile Phones While Driving
Holding a phone or sat nav while driving a vehicle or riding a bike is illegal under UK laws. If you want to respond to a call while driving, you must resort to hands-free access, such as:
Helpful Gadgets for Using Your Phone While Driving
- Bluetooth headset/hands-free
- Built-in sat nav
- Voice command
- Windscreen mount
- Dashboard holder or mat
However, any of these assistive devices must not be blocking your optimal view of the road and traffic.
You must maintain complete control of your vehicle at all times while driving. The police can stop (and prosecute accordingly) if they think you’re not in control of the car because of any distraction.
This law is still valid if you are:
- Stopping at traffic lights
- Queuing in traffic
- Supervising a learner driver
Penalties & Legal Complications for Drivers Using Phones When Driving
The penalty for using a phone while driving may vary depending upon the frequency and intensity of the type of driving misconduct you commit. The list includes:
- Six penalty points with or without £200 as fine for using a phone while driving, when holding it in your hands. You may also lose your license if you’ve passed your driving test recently (in the past two years)
- Three penalty points for not having a full view of the road and oncoming traffic. Same if you’re not in proper control of the vehicle
- In case you’re taken to court, the court may ban you from driving or riding. It can also fine you for £1,000 (£2,500 for driving a bus or a lorry)
When Can You Use a Handheld Mobile Phone Driving a Vehicle?
You can do so only:
- After parking your vehicle safely
- When you need to dial 999 or 111 under an emergency and stopping the vehicle is either impractical or unsafe
- If you’re not the driver but the passenger
How Can You Receive a Phone Call Minimising the Distractions & Risks?
Responding to your phone when you’re driving is not advisable under any circumstances. So, you better avoid:
- Using your phone when driving. It also includes waiting in the queues, stopping at traffic lights, or even when parked up with the engine running
- Texting anyone, using social media apps like Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram or any other way of communication involving you in typing on the phone
- Using Google or Apple maps on a sat nav while holding the phone in your hands. You may do so if you’ve got a specialised holder for the device on your dashboard that’s not compromising your view of the road
However, if you find it inevitable to attend a call, for instance, in case of a potential emergency or a loved one calling from abroad after ages, properly park your car in a parking space, turn the engine off and respond to it.
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Conclusion
Life is too precious to lose in a car crash due to a distraction caused by a mobile phone, right? If you’re alive and well, you can tend to anything you want in due time. So, make sure to adhere to all safety measures and choose life over urgency!
