An update to the law due in the first half of 2017 regarding mobile phone usage whilst driving could see the number of offenders dramatically drop. In 2014 government figures revealed that more than 500,000 motorists were still using their mobile phones while driving each day. New research by Leasing Options shows that 51% of UK drivers admit they have used their mobile phone … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 December
In an unseasonal move, Vale of Glamorgan Council has banned a “lollypop lady” from giving pupils a high-five greeting. The school crossing patrol at Llantwit Major has been subject of two complaints and the council says she has not followed guidelines but parents are said to be on her side and the guidelines are not prescriptive. With drivers’ use of mobile phones acknowledged as endemic, … [Read more...]
Mobile phone danger is getting worse, say drivers
Over 86% of UK motorists think distraction caused by mobile phones has become worse in the last three years. In second place was congestion at 81% reflecting the increasing number of vehicles on our roads as the recession ends. These worrying figures come from the second Safety Culture Survey commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. Of the 2,000 UK drivers surveyed, nearly three … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 November
Gwent police are leading an all-Wales clampdown on drivers using mobile phones over the next few weeks. Last year’s campaign saw 500 caught and this year they will get £100 fine and three penalty points. Two-way tolling using a number plate recognition system is being considered for the Severn bridges when they return to public ownership in 2018, says Welsh secretary Alun Cairns. He told … [Read more...]
Mobile phone use epidemic behind the wheel
There is an “epidemic” of mobile phone use by drivers, says the RAC, but Welsh drivers take a serious view of the danger. About 11 million motorists admitting to making or receiving a call while driving in the last 12 months and a shocking five million saying they have taken photos or videos while at the wheel. Research for the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 has revealed that for some, … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 June
A major conference on developing safer cars is taking place in London today. Safer vehicles – including HGVs, buses, cars and motorcycles – are increasingly important in the push to reach road safety objectives in the UK, across Europe and globally. A majority of motorists want tougher fines and penalties for using a mobile phone behind the wheel. Fifty-two per cent of the 2,100 motorists … [Read more...]
Illegal phone use still very high, motorists tell pollsters
A survey of more than 2,000 drivers carried out by the RAC reveals that illegal mobile phone use is still rife. About 64% of motorists said that in the last hour they spent driving they saw at least one driver committing the offence. Of those, 6% claimed they saw between five and seven drivers breaking the law, whereas 36% witnessed one or two. Only 26% of motorists surveyed said they did not … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 January
The new Jaguar F-TYPE SVR will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale in summer 2016. Capable of 200mph, the new F-TYPE SVR is the first Jaguar SVR and is developed to exploit the two-seat aluminium sports car’s full potential while retaining its day-to-day usability. Nearly seven million British drivers think that if they had to take their driving test again, … [Read more...]
Mobile phone users escaping fines
Fewer motorists are being prosecuted for using their mobile phone while driving than ever before, according to official figures seen by the RAC – with prosecutions down by 47% between 2009 and 2014. The fall comes despite figures from the Department for Transport showing a persistent number of drivers are still using their phone at the wheel – highlighting a worrying mismatch between what … [Read more...]
Safety summit called on mobile phones
“Multitasking” drivers who make business calls on the move may hope to impress the boss or close the deal – but they will achieve the exact opposite. This is the key message from Professor Andrew Parkes, chief scientist at TRL, one of the speakers to address a PACTS conference in London this month. Pacts' UK Road Safety Summit: Drink, Drugs & Mobile Phones will focus on the annual 250 … [Read more...]