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DISTRACTED DRIVING REPORT FROM EUROPEAN NATIONS
First published on www.WorldHighways.com
There are now calls from right across Europe to increase education, enforcement and penalties for distracted driving. Surveys across Europe have revealed worrying attitudes to the use of mobile devices while driving, according to a report by the European Transport and Safety Commission (ETSC). Campaigners are calling for better enforcement, higher penalties, technological solutions and education to raise awareness of the risks.
A survey in the Czech Republic found that 36% of drivers admitted using their phone almost every time they get behind the wheel. In Spain, 25% of drivers have admitted to using their phone behind the wheel. In Ireland around 25% of drivers using their phone behind the wheel. From Germany, observational research found that, at any given moment, an average of 7% of German drivers are distracted while driving. Traffic Safety Netherlands recently called for distraction to be punished as heavily as drink driving. The organization also called for enforcement to be stepped up and joined a coalition of 40 bodies backing a commitment to combine forces and reduce driver distraction. Official figures from France show that 9% of fatal collisions occur due to distracted mobile use. In Ireland according to the RSA, distraction is a factor in 20-30% of collisions.
A new study from the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart) says that social media addicts, drink and drug driving and mobile phone use worry drivers the most. The IAM RoadSmart’s third annual Safety Culture Survey which examines the attitudes and concerns of UK drivers, has found that for the third year running their biggest worries are people updating social media or sending text messages while driving, drink or drug driving and mobile phone use.
Drivers checking social media is the biggest single perceived threat that road users feel – slightly higher than those who text and email, and closely followed by drink and drug drivers.
The survey of more than 2,000 motorists found that more than 90% thought that the dangers caused by people accessing social media or email messages while driving was a significant threat to their personal safety. They also thought that the problem is increasing, with 80% believing the problem more significant than three years ago.