Young drivers distracted by technology

The problem of smartphone use among young drivers (18-24) has reached staggering new levels, according to research from the 2011 RAC Report on Motoring.

Nearly a half (48%) of this age group admitted using their phone while driving. The most common distraction was for music (24%), followed by emails (23%) and Google maps (22%). A further 15% said they talk to friends using Blackberry Messenger or other similar services. Fifteen percent tweet behind the wheel, while an astonishing 8% even admitted to playing games on their smartphone. Texting is also a problem on the rise for younger drives. Over a fifth (21%) admitted to texting while driving in 2011, compared to just 14% in 2010.

The findings also indicate that mobile phone use behind the wheel is accelerating across all ages. When questioned, 12% of motorists admitted they receive or make calls non-hands free while driving in 2011, compared to just 8% in 2010.

Yet drivers overwhelmingly agree that using a phone behind the wheel is dangerous (82%), although 14% agree that they feel ‘confident and safe’ doing so.

The research also suggests that, for many, the use of mobile phones behind the wheel has become a bigger road safety issue than drink-driving. Twenty five percent of motorists disagreed with the notion that ‘drink driving is a bigger road safety issue than mobile usage’.

Motorists have strong opinions on how to tackle in-car phone usage, with only 10% believing the current system of punishment works well. Two-thirds (69%) want to see a ‘3 strikes’ rule introduced whereby drivers caught using their phone three times would lose their license for a year. And over half (53%) would like to see an increase in the number of points awarded to a driver’s license if caught.