Mobile Phones

There are times where it would be unthinkable for you to use your mobile phone…

Such as playing football, or getting married – so why do it while driving?

Despite legislation, recent figures have shown that over a third of individuals admitted to using their mobile phones whilst driving to text or access apps. This is a troubling statistic considering that when using a mobile device, your ability to react quickly in an emergency is likely to be worse than that of a driver at the drink-drive limit, and using a handsfree phone while driving is just as dangerous as using a handheld phone.

Video Transcript: This video shows writing on coloured backgrounds with car and mobile phone graphics. The writing says: Thank you for helping to keep your family and friends safe by sharing with them the fact that using a handsfree phone while driving is just as dangerous as using a handheld phone.  It really is! A driver using a handheld OR handsfree phone is: four times more likely to be involved in a collision than an undistracted driver; will often fail to notice hazards, and can even looks at hazards but fail to actually see them because their mind is on their phone activity; is often unaware of what’s going on around them, even when they’re stopped in traffic; is impaired in a similar way to a drink driver. But why? Because it’s about your brain, not your hands. Removing the need to hold or look at your phone doesn’t reduce the mental demand on your brain. When you’re distracted, you make errors. Let’s try a quick demo… you’re four times it’s hard to more likely to have concentrate on a road collision two things when you’re on at the same time a mobile phone. Your brain struggles to focus on both sentences at once. Credit: THINK.

Are you alert behind the wheel? Take this interactive test to find out.

Crashes caused by mobile phone use are completely avoidable – so make the right choice, put your phone away before driving. 

Legislation Changes

In March 2022, the legislation surrounding mobile phones as driving changed, ultimately the changes mean you must not touch your phone or navigations systems at all whilst driving. If you need to use your phone or change your route you must pull over in a safe place, with the engine off and the keys out of the ignition. If you would like to find out more about the changes visit: https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

No matter what information you’re getting from your phone, nothing is worth risking your own life and the lives of those around you. It really can wait.

Mobile Phone Myths

Myth – “It is legal to use your mobile phone when stopping at traffic lights or queuing in traffic”

Fact – It is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst operating a car if the keys are in the ignition.

Myth – “Using your phone via Bluetooth or hands-free device is safe” 

Fact – It is almost impossible to concentrate on two things at once safely and using a hands-free phone or Bluetooth can be just as distracting as a hand-held device.

Myth – “It is legal to use a hand-held phone whilst supervising a learner driver”

Fact – You are not legally allowed to use a hand-held phone whilst supervising a learner driver.

Myth – “You cannot call 999 or 112 if the vehicle is moving or if you are stuck in traffic”

Fact – In an emergency, find a safe place to stop, take the keys out of the ignition and call the emergency services.

Myth – “Talking on a mobile phone whilst driving is no different to speaking to a passenger”

Fact – Talking to someone over the phone is much harder than talking to someone sat next to you.

Not only are people on the phone harder to hear, they also cannot see the road and will not be able to respond to any changes e.g. keeping quiet when you need to concentrate more.

Myth – “A quick text or status update is fast enough to not cause a distraction”

Fact – Even the quickest message or status update involves thinking about before and after the action, which means your thoughts are no longer on the road, where they should be.

Myth – “We can all multi-task, so using a phone and driving shouldn’t be a problem”

Fact – Incorrect, your brain cannot concentrate on two things at once equally, it will always pick what seems to be the most important activity and focus on that. Don’t let your mobile phone cause you to lose focus on driving safely