Smartphones More Dangerous than Drink Driving
Using smartphones for social networking while driving is more
dangerous than drink driving or being high on cannabis according to
research published by the IAM (Institute of Advanced
Motorists).
Despite this, eight per cent of drivers admit to using
smartphones for email and social networking while driving -
equivalent to 3.5 million licence holders.
Using a smartphone for social networking slows reaction times by
37.6 per cent.
When comparing these new results to previous studies the level
of impairment on driving is greater than the effects of drinking,
cannabis and texting.
Texting slows reaction times by 37.4 per cent, hands-free mobile
phone conversation slows reaction times by 26.5 per cent and
cannabis slows reaction times by 21 per cent.
Alcohol (above UK driving limit but below 100mg per 100ml of
blood) slows reaction time by between six and 15 per cent; and
alcohol at the legal limit slows reaction times by 12.5 per
cent.
The IAM is calling for government action to highlight the
dangers of using smartphones behind the wheel.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "If you're taking your hand
off the wheel to use the phone, reading the phone display and
thinking about your messages, then you're simply not concentrating
on driving. It's antisocial networking and it's more dangerous than
drink driving and it must become just as socially
unacceptable."
At a glance - Some concerning tweets identified by the IAM:
A***q: "who said guys can't
multi-task..tweeting,@ watching match n driving wow lol"
G***7: "Multi-tasking: Driving, Tweeting &
Brushing my hair. I do it. If I die remember me like John
Lennon"
B***h: "You wouldn't think I was actually
driving on the motorway the amount I've been tweeting. Better
concentrate on the road. Good day, twitter"
Source: IAM (Institute of Advanced
Motorists)
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