|
 Texting behind the wheel impairs driving skills more than being under the influence of drink or drugs.
As a result, drivers who use their mobile phones to text are more likely to crash, according to a study by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) on behalf of the RAC Foundation.
Texting drivers’ reaction times deteriorated by over one-third (35%), which was worse than alcohol at the legal limit (12% slower) and driving under the influence of cannabis (21% slower). Drivers also drifted out of their lane more often with steering control 91% worse, compared to 35% worse when under the influence of cannabis. The ability to maintain a safe following distance fell.
TRL’s experts concluded that: “In real world traffic situations, it is suggested that poorer control of vehicle speed, lateral position, and increased reaction times in this situation would increase the likelihood of collision dramatically.”
While the research focused on UK drivers aged 18-24 - 48% of whom admit to texting whilst driving - the RAC Foundation says that at-work drivers who text will be equally at risk as they focus on communication and not on the road ahead.
An RAC Foundation spokeswoman added: “Young drivers are very good at texting because communicating by text has been part of their lives in many cases since they were eight years sold.
“But, young people will be driving on business trips so are at risk because their concentration will not be on the road and older at-work drivers who are perhaps less au fait with texting should also be aware that their driving performance will be badly affected.”
In one minute, a car travels half a mile at town centre speeds and over a mile at motorway speeds. During this minute, drivers that text are distracted in three ways:
• Mental workload - the work of composing the text takes the mind off the road
• Control - using the phone’s keypad means that only one hand is on the wheel
• Visual attention - eyes are on the phone not on the road ahead
Legislation and publicity has to date focused on the risks of speaking on a mobile phone while driving, which the RAC Foundation says overlooks the fact that phones are also used for texting, picture messaging and web surfing.
Now the RAC Foundation is calling for urgent investment in a high-profile education campaign, designed to raise awareness among drivers that texting and driving puts themselves, their friends, and other road users at unacceptable risk.
A loophole in the current law means that texting could be legal provided the phone is in a cradle. However, a driver who is deemed not to be in proper control of their vehicle because they are distracted can already be given a fixed penalty of £60 and three penalty points. If a driver is involved in an incident or a crash while texting on a phone, the Crown Prosecution Service has said that a charge of dangerous driving will be their starting point.
And last month tough new punishments were introduced so that drivers who kill while talking or texting on a mobile phone could face up to five years in jail for causing death by careless driving.
With the research demonstrating how dangerous it is to drive and text, Fleet Support Group chairman Geoffrey Bray said: “Companies should make it absolutely explicit in their handbooks and advice to drivers that mobile phones should be switched off while driving.” |
|