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Almost half of Britain’s motorists regularly flout the law by texting and driving, putting themselves and other road users at risk, according to figures released today by the RAC Foundation (27).
A survey of 2,000 Facebook users has alarmingly revealed that 45% of UK drivers use short message services (SMS) whilst driving. Only 11% of motorists turn off their phones or switch them to mute – leaving 89% of drivers open to the distractions caused by mobile phones.
The survey marks the first anniversary of the increase in penalties for using a hand-held phone at the wheel. Motorists now receive a £60 fine and 3 penalty points for using their mobile phone whilst driving, which includes texting and driving. It was discovered in the survey that the young and techno savvy were more likely to text and drive in congested parts of the country, and that the level of texting whilst driving differs throughout the UK. It is highest in London (53%), and Manchester (50%), and lowest in Aberdeen (31%), Edinburgh (36%), Bristol (36%) and Glasgow (38%).
The survey has identified five distinct groups of texting drivers on UK roads. They are:
* Multi-tasking multimedia maestros: Accounting for 21% of all motorists this group read and send texts in free flowing traffic. Dominated by techno savvy men aged 18-24, who regard the phone as a bionic add-on, this group consider texting to be an almost automatic reaction. The highest proportion of multi-tasking multimedia maestros can be found in Manchester (26%), London, Wales and Leeds (all 25%).
* Opportunistic optimisers: 19% of drivers read and/or send text messages when they are stuck in a jam. The delay itself may prompt people to text, for instance to let others know they are going to be late. Women are more likely than men to make up this group although membership decreases with age. This texting approach was by fat the most common in London (24%).
* Non-reactive realists: 44% of all motorists fall into this group. They will not text whilst driving, but will leave their phone audible. Phone alerts may distract the driver or encourage them to alter their driving plan (i.e. stop to read the text), which could create road safety problems, especially if they stop to view a text at an inappropriate location. Women are most likely to be non-reactive realists although membership to this group increases with age for both sexes. Drivers in Glasgow (51%), the West Midlands (51%) and Bristol (51%) are most likely to be in this category.
* Casual observers: This group accounts for a mere 5% of the driving population. These drivers read their texts in moving traffic, but would not consider responding or sending messages whilst driving. This activity is most common in Manchester (7%), Glasgow (7%) and Newcastle (6%).
* Trendsetting team players: 11% of drivers make up this final group of motorists. They responsibly switch off their phones or put them on mute to avoid distractions. Women are marginally more likely than men to fall into this category. Motorists in Aberdeen (19%), Edinburgh (16%) are particularly conscientious about these safety measures.
Elizabeth Dainton, Research Development Manager for the RAC Foundation, said:
“The survey clearly demonstrates that a large proportion of UK drivers are breaking the law by texting and driving. Many young people may not be aware that it is illegal to text and drive and how it places them and other road users in potential danger. Urgent action is needed to address this increasing problem, especially as the ‘Y’ generation, who have grown up with technology and computers, begin to take to the road.
“It is really hard to do two things at once. Using a mobile phone whilst driving means you are four times more likely to have a crash. If you have an accident whilst texting and driving, you can be prosecuted for not using due care and attention.
“Our message is clear – texting whilst driving is not safe. Motorists should switch off their mobile phones when driving or put them on silent mode. It takes away the temptation to read or reply to a text message whilst on the move. Messages can easily be picked up at the end of the journey or during a break. Master your phone – don’t be a slave to the SMS!”
Ends
Notes:
1. Survey question and sample details
2002 Facebook Members (www.facebook.com) were surveyed over the period Wednesday 13th February to Friday 15th February 2008. The question asked and the options given were as follows;
Do you text while driving?
Yes – I read & send texts in moving traffic
Yes – I read texts in moving traffic
Yes – I read &/or send texts in still traffic
No – I don’t text, but I am aware when I get a text
No – I mute or turn off the phone when driving
The sample consisted of the following:
Gender -
Male: 1201
Female: 800
Not specified: 1
Total: 2002
Age -
13-17: 248
18-24: 1108
25-34: 444
35-49: 171
Other: 31
Total: 2002
Location -
Edinburgh: 200
Glasgow: 200
Aberdeen: 100
West Midlands: 100
Newcastle: 100
Leeds: 100
Wales: 201
Portsmouth: 100
Bristol: 100
London: 500
Manchester: 201
Nottingham: 100
Total: 2002
3. The regional break down for the figures is in the table 1 below.
Table 1: Percentage of respondents in the regions who text whilst driving and the details of their texting activity
| Area | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| Edinburgh | 36 | 14 | 5 | 18 | 49 | 16 | 100 |
| Glasgow | 28 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 51 | 12 | 100 |
| Aberdeen | 31 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 50 | 19 | 100 |
| West Mid | 40 | 20 | 4 | 16 | 51 | 9 | 100 |
| Newcastle | 43 | 22 | 6 | 15 | 44 | 13 | 100 |
| Leeds | 46 | 25 | 5 | 16 | 40 | 14 | 100 |
| Wales | 47 | 25 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 14 | 100 |
| Portsmouth | 47 | 23 | 5 | 19 | 42 | 11 | 100 |
| Bristol | 36 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 51 | 13 | 100 |
| London | 53 | 25 | 4 | 24 | 40 | 7 | 100 |
| Manchester | 50 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 40 | 9 | 100 |
| Nottingham | 44 | 21 | 5 | 18 | 48 | 8 | 100 |
A=Text while driving (Overall figure. Further breakdown of activity provided in B-F)
B= Read and send texts in moving traffic
C= Read texts in moving traffic
D= Read and/or send texts in still traffic
E=Don’t text but hear phone
F= Mute or turn off phone
G= Total
Road tax evasion is on the increase according to a new report from the National Audit Office. Excise duty evasion is currently running at 5%, costing the UK £217 million, a 47% cost increase from the previous year (DfT Roadside Survey, 2006).
The survey also estimated that over a third of motorcyclists (37%) were unlicenced, a significant increase from 30% in the previous year. The DVLA’s evasion target for December 2007 is 2.5%, so these results will come as quite a blow. The target of halving the vehicle underclass of evaders (unlicenses vehicles often associated with crime related activities) is also unlikely to be reached.
These findings start to highlight the real problem of the motoring underclass on UK roads. The fact that three quarters of people using persistently untaxed vehicles are involved in some form of criminal activity proves very clearly that more resources should be directed to roads policing, to not only reduce road traffic offences, but also as a way to target other crimes.
Evasion of motoring rules and regulations is no longer simply a guilty secret of the motoring underclass, as insurance fraud becomes more commonplace according to new research from www.Uswitch.com, which finds that one in ten drivers are lying to their insurance company.
Not all false information given is intentionally, but approximately 1.5 million drivers (6% of the driving population) knowingly lie about basic details such as their age and address. People claim to be older, or living in a better area to get cheaper insurance and around 750,000 people fail to declare any driving convictions (e.g. speeding offences and bans).
(Source: www.autocar.co.uk)
White van man is getting something right that many police forces are getting wrong, according to the Royal Automobile Club Foundation. New research shows that during the day, silver vehicles had a 10% higher crash risk than white vehicles. Popular selling black vehicles had 12% higher risk than white vehicles.
Whilst white van man is sticking to white, many police forces have changed their vehicles from white to silver in order to increase residual sale values. The Foundation questions whether this colour switch has increased the likelihood of collisions.
The research sponsored by motoring organisations in Australia, “An investigation into the relationship between vehicle colour and crash risk” from Monash University Accident Research Centre assessed the relationship between vehicle colour and crash risk through the analysis of real crash outcomes described in mass crash data reported to police in two Australian states.
The study looked at vehicle to vehicle crashes between 1987 and 2004 that resulted in death, injury or the vehicle being towed away. The analysis was stratified by vehicle type, light conditions and jurisdiction of crash. Results of the analysis identified a clear statistically significant relationship between vehicle colour and crash risk.
Compared to white vehicles, a number of colours were associated with higher crash risk. These colours are generally those lower on the visibility index and include black, blue, grey, green, red and silver.
No colour was statistically significantly safer than white although a number of other colours could not be distinguished from white statistically in terms of relative crash risk. The association between vehicle colour and crash risk was strongest during daylight hours where relative crash risks were higher for the colours listed compared to white by up to around 10%.
Comparison of analysis results between the two states of Australia analysed suggested that vehicle colour also has an association with crash severity with lower visibility colours having higher risks of more severe crashes.
This comprehensive study not only looked at vehicle visibility and colour but also took into account other factors that may have had an impact on crash risk such as driver demographics.
Car Colours in the UK
In the UK, the more “at risk” colours are still the top selling colours for new cars. Latest information on the top 5 car colour sales from SMMT over the last two years shows that silver is still the number one seller but black is becoming more popular.
(New Car sales 2006)
- Silver: 671, 000
- Black: 522, 000
- Blue: 521, 000
- Grey: 309, 000
- Red: 192, 000
(New car sales 2005)
- Silver: 726, 000
- Blue: 543, 000
- Black: 479,000
- Grey: 272,000
- Red: 171, 000
On the second hand prestige car market, black cars have now replaced silver as the most desirable and dealers reckon that black models can sell for up to £500 more. Despite being the safest colour, white cars are not getting a look-in in either the new car or used car colour charts.
The traditional sight of blue flashing lights on white emergency vehicles such as police cars and ambulances is also becoming a thing of the past. The RAC Foundation has noticed a trend that may be confusing many motorists. Police cars are going silver, whilst ambulances are turning yellow.
A growing number of police fleets are shunning traditional white cars in favour of coloured cars in an effort to increase the residual value of the cars when they are sold on. Some forces started introducing silver cars five years ago. Cambridgeshire, Kent and Hampshire constabularies all seem to favour coloured cars. Dark blue Volvo police cars can be spotted on several motorways and silver BMWs in the Metropolitan Police area.
Motor auctions that sell used police vehicles have confirmed that silver and other coloured vehicles fetch approximately 10% more than white vehicles. Police fleet managers claim they are buying coloured vehicles solely to maximise residual values.
Commenting on the colour changes, Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation said:
“The days when motorists looked out for white police cars are well and truly over. They are as likely to spot a silver cop car or indeed more likely to see yellow speed cameras.
“Our own research has shown that owners of pastel coloured cars are eight times more likely to suffer from depression than owners of traditionally coloured cars. So as well as watching out for yellow, sliver, blue, red and white emergency vehicles beware of that depressed pastel coloured car on your tail.”
REFERENCES
An investigation into the relationship between vehicle colour and crash risk: Monash University Accident Research Centre – Report #263 [2007] Authors: S. Newstead & A. D’Elia
Sponsoring organisations – This project was funded as contract research by the following organisations: New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority, NRMA Motoring and Services, Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, Transport Accident Commission, VicRoads.
Forty percent of mobile phone users break the law by using their phone while driving according to a new Which? survey.
Thirty-three percent of drivers have illegally made or received a call while driving in the last 12 months. A third also admitted to (32%) have read or sent a text whilst driving. However nine out of 10 users were aware of the fine for using a mobile phone without a handsfree kit whilst driving.
This survey provides new evidence that people are aware of the new mobile phone law, but some are simply choosing to ignore it. An increased presence of Road Traffic Officers could make a significant difference to compliance, providing yet another reason why a greater police presence on UK roads is necessary.
According to Transport Times, Edinburgh police report a fall in the number of motorists using a mobile while driving – numbers are down one-third in the past two months.
In Scotland, Traffic Policing is still a core police function and Chief Constables are committed to maintaining an expert, uniformed traffic presence on the roads. The RAC Foundation has argued consistently that motorists will change their behaviour, on using mobiles, or even drinking and driving, if they know there is a real chance they will get caught – and that needs cops as well as cameras – and it seems that these statistics are supporting our view.
Education, education, education- oh and traffic police as well…
November 14, 2007 in Comment, Policing, Safety | by fionacoyne | Leave a comment
As speeding continues to be a menace, the question of how to deter this dangerous behaviour lingers. While many believe that offenders should have their licenses stripped and wallets raided, the RAC Foundation calls for a more long lasting solution to the problem, namely- an increase in traffic police and speed awareness courses, to really drum the message into motorists that speeding endangers lives. Below is a link to the Guardian’s ‘comment is free’ by the RAC Foundation’s Executive Director Edmund King, expressing the belief that lessons can be learnt without the need for prosecution. http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/edmund_king/2007/11/penalties_to_fit_the_crime.html