Two-thirds of motorists believe the Government should introduce technology to disable certain phone functions for the sake of safety, according to new research by Continental Tyres.
Fitting all cars with some form of blocking device was considered a more effective plan than harsher penalties or more education as road users reveal they cannot resist temptation.
Of those drivers surveyed 46% admitted that they think it is acceptable to look at their phone when stopped or in slow moving traffic.
Continental Tyres’ safety expert Mark Griffiths said: “Our research reveals that drivers know that their use of phones is illegal, distracting and dangerous yet they cannot help themselves.
“Nearly half (45%) told us they struggle to be digitally disconnected and 28% felt that so many people now checked their mobile in traffic it had become normalised.”
Of those that admitted to breaking the current law, 31% said they had done so in the last month.
Professor John Groeger, a specialist in driver psychology and author of ‘Sharing the Driving’ for Continental Tyres added: “It is really interesting that motorists want an enforced solution rather than to curb their own behaviour – yet there is no such system currently being promoted in the UK.
“It is imperative that we find a way to resolve this as the ‘switch cost’ - the critical time it takes us to shift our concentration from a task like reading a text to again fully engaging in driving is so important in reducing accidents.”
Even with the additional safety features being added to cars motorists believe the illegal use of phones when driving is decreasing road safety.
Winston - 16/12/2016 15:56
When did we lose the ability to control, and take responsibility for, our own actions? Do we really need technology to be created that stops us behaving in a way that puts us and others, in danger? I sincerely hope not. Merry Christmas!