[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/mobile-phones-driving-facts\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/mobile-phones-driving-facts\/","headline":"Mobile Phones And Driving: The Facts","name":"Mobile Phones And Driving: The Facts","description":"Driving whilst using a mobile a phone has always been considered dangerous, but now, UK experts believe the problem to be as dangerous as when driving under the influence of alcohol, with a recent study undertaken in the UK backing up that viewpoint, too. \u00a0 Results showed, that when using a hands-free phone (not even a handheld one), driver reaction times were around 30% slower than when driving with a blood alcohol level on the limit of legality in the […]","datePublished":"2016-10-10","dateModified":"2016-10-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/feature-10.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/feature-10.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/mobile-phones-driving-facts\/","about":["BLOG"],"wordCount":750,"keywords":["Driving Fines","Driving Laws","Driving Pentalties","Driving with a Mobile","Hands Free Driving","Hands Free Headsets","Mobile Phones and Driving"],"articleBody":"Driving whilst using a mobile a phone has always been considered dangerous, but now, UK experts believe the problem to be as dangerous as when driving under the influence of alcohol, with a recent study undertaken in the UK backing up that viewpoint, too. \u00a0Results showed, that when using a hands-free phone (not even a handheld one), driver reaction times were around 30% slower than when driving with a blood alcohol level on the limit of legality in the UK and Wales (80 mg per 100ml of blood).Worryingly, a recent survey by the RAC on the state of UK motoring this year showed that people are using their phones more than ever when they are behind the wheel.\u00a0 One-third of drivers admit to using their mobile whilst driving, one in five think it\u2019s acceptable to be using social media when in traffic (it is illegal to do so), and perhaps most depressingly, 14% of people surveyed actually have taken photos or videos whilst driving.The evidence shows that your chances of being involved in an accident increases when you use your phone and even using hands-free technology only lessens that slightly. The fact is, that talking on the phone \u2013 two hands on the wheel or not \u2013 you are no longer focussing solely on the road ahead and the others around you.An Australian study found that by talking on a mobile device whilst driving, handheld or hands-free, you become four times as likely to be involved in an accident, and interestingly, the risk of a crash remains higher than average even ten minutes after the call has ended. The effects of using a phone while drivingA plethora of studies have demonstrated that mobile phone usage can affect your driving in many ways, leading to a much higher risk of having an accident, including:Slower reaction timesPoor speed controlDifficulty controlling lane positionSharper brakingLess attentive of signage and hazardsMore likely to tailgateSo it should come as little surprise that the penalties for those that are caught flouting the law are on the rise. Mobile phones and the lawMany countries now have a ban on mobile phone usage while driving. In the UK, The Road Vehicles Regulations 2003 prohibits drivers from using a handheld mobile phone either while driving, or while supervising a learner driver. A mobile phone is essentially defined in this case as any device that you can communicate with via the transmitting and receiving of data.The only exemptions to the law are if it is an emergency call and it is unsafe to stop, or if you are using a two-way radio (as seen in taxis). Other than that, you need to be parked safely before using your phone, which does not include sitting in stationary traffic. On top of this, you can actually face prosecution for using a hands-free device (depending on police discretion) if you are thought to be driving poorly or without due care, whilst talking.The penalties can be severe. Since 2007, the automatic fixed penalty has been set at \u00a3100, plus three points on your licence. In September 2016 though, Patrick McLoughlin, the Government transport secretary, announced that this will be increasing to \u00a3200 and a potential 6 points on the licence from early 2017.Should a case go to court too, disqualification from driving and a maximum fine of \u00a31,000 are punishments that can be handed out (the punishment increases to \u00a32,500 if you are driving public transport or a commercial vehicle). As well, for drivers who have recently passed their test, it could mean the loss of licence should they be caught twice within two years of that date.It\u2019s worth pointing out that employers can be prosecuted too, specifically for \u2018causing or permitting\u2019 workers to use a handheld phone while driving. Employers can also be held responsible if it is thought that using a hands-free phone while driving contributes to an accident. The message from the Health & Safety Executive is for companies to provide guidelines that instruct workers to allow their phones to ring out to voicemail and respond only when safely parked. Looking to the future500 accidents were caused directly as a result of drivers using mobile phones in 2014 which was the highest figure on record, yet prosecutions have fallen by 50% in five years. This has led to calls from across society to make the use of mobile phones at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving, and this is what the government is intent on doing."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mobile Phones And Driving: The Facts","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/mobile-phones-driving-facts\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]