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Mobiles 'still causing needless road deaths'

Mobiles still causing needless road deaths Further warnings have been issued about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving following the revelation that people are still being killed on the roads unnecessarily.

Research conducted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) showed a significant number of accidents are still being caused by mobile phone usage despite the introduction of deterrent laws on December 1st 2003.

In the last year alone, 25 fatal, 64 serious and 259 minor accidents were caused by a driver distracted by a mobile phone, and the RoSPA believes this is just the tip of the iceberg.

As a result, Kevin Clinton, RoSPA head of road safety, has emphasised the importance of abiding by the law and keeping mobiles in pockets or in handbags while behind the wheel of a car.

"Research has shown that using a mobile phone at the wheel - whether hand-held or hands-free - makes you four times more likely to crash," he commented.

"This is because of the distraction of the telephone conversation, which can cause drivers to tailgate, weave about on the road and vary their speed. While the law specifically covers hand-held mobiles, research such as this means it is wrong to suggest that using a hands-free device is safe."

Mr Clinton went on to warn that drivers are unlikely to get away with it if they do cause an accident while texting or speaking on the phone, as the police can analyse mobile phone records to see if there are any incriminating factors in dangerous driving cases.

Tougher sentences can be handed out if drivers are found guilty of needlessly taking their eyes off the road and being distracted by a call or text conversation.

Under current law, drivers are banned from using hand-held mobile phones while it is also an offence to compel another person to do so.

The RoSPA was established over 90 years ago as part of an attempt to improve road safety.

Industry News posted on 01 December 2008

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