Press releases

It’s not smart to use your phone on the move

There are more ways to distract a driver today than ever before in the entire history of motoring!

Smart phones, ‘ordinary’ mobiles, Personal Digital Assistants, pocket PCs, Sat Navs and now the Blackberry.... the list is almost endless.

But the fact remains that if motorists use any hand held devices on the move they are almost certain to be committing an offence, warns breakdown service Autonational Rescue.

It’s more than two years since using a hand held phone (or similar device) became a specific crime with a fixed penalty or a fine of up to £1,000 if it gets to court.

Says Autonational’s marketing manager Ronan Hart: “Fines are even higher for bus and lorry drivers - up to £2,500.

“And yet we still see all kinds of motorists, practically every day of the week, with handsets glued to their ears when they should have their hands stuck to the wheel.

“What’s more, most people do not realise that they also risk prosecution, for failure to have proper control, even if they use hands-free devices when driving!”

If there is an accident, the use of any communications device could even justify charges of careless or dangerous driving.

Current UK legislation includes any device which is similar to a mobile phone if it performs an interactive function by transmitting or receiving data.

Added Ronan Hart: “Using any type of phone or other communications tool while driving is distracting.

“If it’s a phone that’s ringing, or an email alert, then drivers should just let it ring and return the call when safely parked. Better still, switch to voicemail before starting your journey.”

Research published last year in the British Medical Journal indicated that using a mobile phone increased the risk of crashing four-fold.

• And a recent Autonational Rescue survey showed that the SINGLE most popular item which drivers take with them on car journeys is still a mobile phone.

The vast majority of women drivers - 76% - said it’s their mobile phones which makes them feel safer when driving at night.

While 86% of all UK motorists said they would not want to leave their mobile phone behind on long car journeys.

Advice from Autonational Rescue is that drivers – male and female – should always take their mobile phones with them on journeys but ensure that they are used only when stationary.

Ends

For more information about Autonational Rescue, the car breakdown service with the no claims bonus, call 07000 999 911

Issued by CPR Works
Tel: 01902 680068
Contact: Jenny Carr/Roger Eversley
E-mail:jenny@cpr.co.uk
Web: www.cpr.co.uk

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