A staggering 47% of UK motorists admit to checking their mobile phones while driving, posing a significant risk to themselves and others on our roads, according to a new study by the RAC. The alarming statistic comes from research that polled over 1,500 drivers, highlighting the urgent need for stricter laws and greater awareness about the dangers of driver distraction.
The RAC is calling for harsher penalties for motorists caught using their phones while driving, in an effort to reduce the number of accidents caused by this preventable issue. The organisation believes that tougher laws are essential in keeping our roads safe, particularly given the devastating impact of driver distraction on UK road fatalities – a staggering 22% of all deaths on the nation's roads.
Driver distraction is often linked to other factors such as fatigue and speeding, which only exacerbate the risk of accidents. The RAC is urging drivers to take regular breaks to rest and avoid distractions while driving, and to use technology wisely to reduce their reliance on phones behind the wheel.
The UK government has introduced stricter laws on mobile phone use while driving in recent years, but the RAC believes more must be done to tackle driver distraction and prevent the devastating consequences of accidents caused by this behaviour.