The mobile menace: One in 20 drivers admit updating Twitter and Facebook from behind the wheel

[mc_squared]

The mobile menace: One in 20 drivers admit updating Twitter and Facebook from behind the wheel

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 10:35 AM on 26th February 2010

 

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One in 20 drivers have read a post on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, while behind the wheel, a report showed today.

Soaring numbers of motorists have gone beyond phone calls and are now texting and even posting on social-networking sites while on the road, the survey of more than 2,000 car drivers showed.

Tough new laws regarding the use of mobile phone while driving were brought in just three years ago.

 

 

Menace: A driver checks his mobile phone at the wheel. One in 20 drivers check Facebook and Twitter while driving, a survey shows

 

But the latest research shows that a staggering number of drivers are still flouting the regulations and putting other motorists in grave danger by using their mobile.

Government campaigns have attempted to persuade motorists to use hands free devices or stay off the phone.

However, the report says that the number of motorists defying the regulations are far greater than previously shown.

Almost a third of drivers -31 per cent - admit to taking a phone call and over one in five -22 per cent - have made a phone call themselves. Men are the worst culprits (25 per cent males compared to 20 per cent of females).

However the survey by car accessories chain Halfords reveals that the figures could actually be higher than half.

Fifty two per cent of adults have been a passenger of a car when the driver has made or received a phone call.

Over a quarter of motorists - 28 per cent - confessed to reading a text while at the wheel and 18 per cent had sent a text. Women (17 per cent) are almost as big a culprit here as men (18 per cent).

Changing tracks on the increasingly popular MP3 player, which is also illegal, was admitted by 15 per cent of drivers.

The online survey highlights that the lure of social networking while driving was a temptation too far for 5 per cent who read a post on Facebook, Twitter or another social site.

 

Two per cent admitted actually posting their own message on Facebook or sending an email. And another 3 per cent read their emails while still in charge of a car.

 

Two per cent said they had used the internet whilst driving to check traffic reports and find directions. Some tried to justify in-car internet usage by claiming they only did it when in stationary traffic or at traffic lights, which is also illegal..

Halfords In Car Technology expert, Clare Pritchard said: 'Whilst it is always better to pull into a safe place and stop the car before using the phone, most drivers will continue to want the security and reassurance of a mobile phone whilst on the move.

 

'However it seems there is still some way to go in ensuring that drivers who do use mobile phones do so legally and drive with due care and attention.

 

'To keep motorists on the right side of the law, Halfords offers a range of hands-free legal solutions such as the basic headsets, visor speakers and fully fitted kits that can even read your text messages out for you.

 

'If drivers are uncertain on what the best solution is for them, Halfords trained specialists offer professional advice and fitting in store.'

 

On 27th February 2007, the law was updated and the penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving was increased to £60 and three penalty points added to the driver's license.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'The use of mobile phones behind the wheel is bad news for road safety. We know drivers' reaction times slow by almost half when they are having a chat on their mobiles.

 

'This is even worse than texting while driving which our research has shown slows reaction times by a third.

 

'The actions of those who flout the law can have tragic consequences. In 2008 the use of a mobile phone was a contributory factor in 16 fatal road accidents across Britain and many more where people were seriously injured.

 

'Police must be given the resources to ta

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1253897/The-mobile-menace-Drivers-admit-updating-Twitter-Facebook--wheel.html#ixzz0ge254fIh

[Matter-Eater Lad]

That's nothing, I do my taxes while driving.

[mc_squared]

That's nothing, I do my taxes while driving.

 

Do you have any?:confused:

[The Final Track]

"Driving car towards lamp-post, will update as it develops"

[pickle]

Tons of people use their phones for texting etc. while driving. I think we have a law against using them while driving here...:thinking:

[busybeeburns]

"Driving car towards lamp-post, will update as it develops"

shall I RT?!