Don’t be that one.
One in 12 motorists have admitted to using their phone on an “occasional” basis while driving at flowing speed on an open road, a new study has shown.
The result comes from a new survey by AA Car Insurance, which interviewed over 6,000 Irish road users.
In total, 5.48% of the respondents admitted to occasionally using their phone, while 1.42% admitted to regularly doing so.
More worryingly, 0.83% said that they used their phone while driving in flowing traffic on a daily basis.
60% of respondents admitted to using their phone while stopped at a red light.
This comes as AA has stated that they welcome tougher legislation on motorists to reduce phone usage, with the current findings showing how current road policing is in need of strengthening.
Commenting on the results, Director of Consumer Affairs, Conor Faughnan said: “Phone use by Irish drivers is at ridiculously high levels. Its dysfunctional. We all know you can’t do it and we all know its dangerous, but every single day Irish drivers in their tens and hundreds of thousands can’t resist the urge. Put the bloody thing away and watch what you are doing.”
“Unfortunately, for some people if they feel the risk of being caught is relatively low they’re willing to flout the law and, in doing so, put other road users in danger”, he continued.
“Even when stuck at a red light it’s important that your concentration remains on the road in front of you and that you’re on the lookout for vulnerable road users. If you’re looking down at your phone when the light changes to green it’s likely that you’ll take off without properly assessing your surroundings, something which can endanger more vulnerable road users like cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. Whatever you’re doing on your phone can absolutely wait. Simply put the text you’re sending or call you’re trying to make isn’t worth putting your safety or that of other road users in danger.”
This comes following the release of recent stats by an Garda Síochána, which revealed that the number of fatalities on Irish roads in 2018 has reached 16, with five having taken place in February alone.
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