42% of drivers 'use mobiles'

6:23 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

Drivers admit to using mobile phone behind wheel

More than two in five drivers are using their mobile phones illegally while at the wheel more than talking, according to the AA. Daybreak's Nick Dixon reports.

2:30 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

Drivers face heavy penalty for using mobile phones

If you're an employer, you can be prosecuted if you ask your employees to make or receive calls while driving.
If you're caught using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or riding, you can expect to get an automatic fixed penalty notice.

This means you'll get three penalty points on your driving licence and have to pay a fine of £60.
However, your case may go to court. If it does, you may also face disqualification from driving or riding on top of a maximum fine of £1,000.

If you're a driver of a bus or goods vehicle, you could face a maximum fine of £2,500.

Driving with mobile phone 'delays reaction times by 30%'

Using your mobile phone while driving delays reaction times for drivers by 30 per cent, a study has found.

It is illegal to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle while using a hand-held mobile phone.

This includes sending pictures or texts, internet, when you are stopped at traffic lights or in a queue.

2:00 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

40% of drivers don't think using a mobile phone is distracting

58% of drivers say they have never used a hand-held phone in the car but of the 42% that have used a phone 60% say it distracted them from driving.

This means that almost 40% think using a hand-held mobile is not distracting.

1:45 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

80 drivers 'took picture of crash'

80 drivers used their phones to photograph emergency services attempting the rescue of a 21-year-old driver trapped in her crashed truck on the M1 last month, the AA have said.

The seriously injured driver was eventually flown by air ambulance to hospital and survived the crash.

The police have contacted most of these drivers to warn them about their illegal and irresponsible behaviour but have not prosecuted the drivers.

1:30 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

Road Safety Minister: 'Drivers using mobile phones are irresponsible'

Using a mobile phone while driving is not only illegal, but also incredibly irresponsible.

The consequences can be devastating for you, your family and other road users.

If you do you will be caught and face a fine, penalty points on your licence or even prison in very serious cases.

But, as important, you also put your safety and that of others at risk. 'My message is clear - don't do it.'

– Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond

AA: 'Drivers wrong to tweet pics of accidents'

Drivers need to concentrate on driving rather than be distracted by their digital technology.

Our research shows that some drivers are now using their smart phones for more than talking on the move. It is really not smart to talk, text or tweet on the move.

Digital rubber-neckers who photograph crashes really are morbid voyeurs who should be concentrating on the road, not the victims of crashes.

It beggars belief that these macabre motorists should put their lives and others at risk through their lust for twisted metal.

– AA president Edmund King

12:58 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

Drivers admit to tweeting and using Facebook on the move

Three quarters of drivers (74%) see others using mobile phones on some or most journeys with one quarter (25%) seeing it on every journey.

Some 20% admit to having used a mobile phone to send a text and even 4% admit to checking emails and 2% to sending emails on the move.

Two per cent have read Twitter or Facebook updates on the move and 1% have even tweeted on the move.

12:35 am, Wed 12 Sep 2012

Two in five drivers 'are using mobile phones'

Road Safety — Two in five drivers are using mobile phones illegaly Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire

More than two in five drivers are using their mobile phones illegally while at the wheel more than talking, according to new research from the AA.

Some drivers are even texting, emailing, tweeting, updating Facebook or taking photographs on the move. Of the 42% who used mobiles while driving, 60% said it had distracted them.