The number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s road rose by 4% to nearly 25,000 in 2014 and BCA research suggests that in-car technology could be behind the rise.
It found that 95% of respondents had seen other motorists using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.
But mobile phones are not the only technology distracting drivers. More than half of respondents (52%) admitted to looking at their sat nav rather than the road at a junction or roundabout and 47% had seen other motorists doing the same.
A small percentage even confessed to accessing the internet or social media while driving.
“BCA’s research reinforces other expert opinion that in-car technology is distracting drivers and at least contributing to the rise in road traffic accidents”, said Tim Naylor, editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report.
“And, whilst the perception is that young motorists are likely to be the most distracted by in-car gadgets whilst driving, BCA’s consumer research suggests it is older drivers, aged 26-40, that are thought to be the main culprits.”
simonbowman3947 - 26/02/2015 11:28
I read that the use of mobiles whilst driving is on the increase and Norfolk is trialing the technology to alert drivers or passengers that their mobile is in use when they pass the sign. Hopefully we are not that far off where a camera can be activiated at the same time the sign detects a passing mobile phone being used so the image can be used to prosecute drivers! I cannot see why people think that using a mobile to chat, checking your latest Facebook or Twitter messages is acceptable. How on earth did we manage to survive the day without knowing my best mate has had a "wicked doughnut" on IdiotBook or AbsoluteTw@tter!