Mike Waters' Blog: 13 June 2007

Date: 13 June 2007

Mike Waters is senior insight & consultancy manager at Arval, the leading vehicle leasing and fleet management company.

The Act extension not only increased the penalty for those caught using a handset whilst driving, but also determined that drivers can be fined even if they use a hands-free kit, if the vehicle is deemed to be 'out of control'.

In our study, 70% of business drivers still admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel with a frightening 7% admitting to not even using a hands-free option.

Tests by scientists at the Transport Research Laboratory revealed that drivers on mobiles had slower reaction and stopping times than those under the influence of alcohol. The same study revealed that hands-free kits were almost as dangerous as hand-held phones.

Drivers must be more responsible with their phone use, but companies must realise that the driver is not solely accountable for using a mobile phone. If a business call to a driver is found to result in an accident, the company may well be held legally responsible.

It is important that we establish why drivers are continuing to use their phone behind the wheel. Are they simply ignoring the law or are companies continuing to put pressure on staff to answer the phone whilst behind the wheel? Best practice for a company is to encourage drivers to take breaks when they can make calls and listen to messages.

There is certainly work to be done to get the message through. The 30% of drivers that have taken this issue on board are still being put at greater risk by the 7 out of 10 company drivers that are, for whatever reason, ignoring the safety message. The challenge now is to encourage all drivers to adopt the same practice.

See you next time,

Mike

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