Drivers confused by mobile phone rules – report

More than a fifth of UK drivers appear to be worryingly ignorant about the dangers of mobile phone usage behind the wheel.

A report from RAC shows that 21% of motorists it surveyed were unaware that it is illegal to check Facebook or Twitter while driving.

The study also found that more than one-in-ten (12%) of those questioned thought texting behind the wheel was legal.

Furthermore, 61% did not realise that texting at the wheel of a stationary car with the engine on is also against the law.

The law states that it is illegal for anyone to use a hand-held communications device when driving.

And the term driving includes being stationary with the engine on.

David Bizley, technical director at RAC, said: “While the law is clear it seems that motorists regard using a mobile phone while stationary at traffic lights or when stationary in congestion as more socially acceptable and less dangerous than using their hand-held phones while on the move.

“They forget, for example, that when concentrating on their phone, a cyclist may pull up beside or just ahead of them and they may pull away, totally unaware of the cyclist’s presence.”

Of the people RAC questioned, 27% admitted to feeling side-tracked when they heard a mobile phone ring-tone. Among drivers aged 17 to 24, this figure rises to 40%.

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