Photo: Leasing.com
That we’re no longer able to live without our smartphones and connected devices is no longer news, but this “addiction” can prove deadly if we let it interfere with our driving.
Recent figures released by Ofcom show that the average Brit can’t go more than 12 minutes without checking his or her phone. In total, Brits spend about 3 hours and 26 minutes a day on their phone, scrolling through texts, posting to social media and checking emails.
The sad reality is that some of that time happens to be when they’re behind the wheel. While texting and driving is still illegal, it’s not stopping drivers from doing it. That’s why road safety charity Brake is taking the time to remind them how dangerous it can be.
Checking your phone or even swiping the screen whilst behind the wheel can be the second you need to make the difference between life and death, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, tells The Yorkshire Evening Post.
“In our modern world it may seem unsurprising that people can’t go 12 minutes without using their smartphone, but this ‘addiction’ can have deadly consequences if people can’t leave their phones alone whilst driving. A split-second distraction caused by a call, text or notification behind the wheel can be fatal,” Harris explains.
“In 2016, 32 people were killed and 105 seriously injured in crashes involving a driver being distracted by their mobile phone, and this problem is getting worse year-on-year,” he adds. “Illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel is all too common and action needs to be taken to rid our roads of this dangerous menace. Drivers need to understand that no call, text or social media update is worth risking a life.”
At the end of the day, though, no amount of punishment or lecturing will get drivers to understand how dangerous texting and driving is. As Harris puts it, they need to understand that nothing is worth risking a life. It’s as simple as that.
The sad reality is that some of that time happens to be when they’re behind the wheel. While texting and driving is still illegal, it’s not stopping drivers from doing it. That’s why road safety charity Brake is taking the time to remind them how dangerous it can be.
Checking your phone or even swiping the screen whilst behind the wheel can be the second you need to make the difference between life and death, Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, tells The Yorkshire Evening Post.
“In our modern world it may seem unsurprising that people can’t go 12 minutes without using their smartphone, but this ‘addiction’ can have deadly consequences if people can’t leave their phones alone whilst driving. A split-second distraction caused by a call, text or notification behind the wheel can be fatal,” Harris explains.
“In 2016, 32 people were killed and 105 seriously injured in crashes involving a driver being distracted by their mobile phone, and this problem is getting worse year-on-year,” he adds. “Illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel is all too common and action needs to be taken to rid our roads of this dangerous menace. Drivers need to understand that no call, text or social media update is worth risking a life.”
At the end of the day, though, no amount of punishment or lecturing will get drivers to understand how dangerous texting and driving is. As Harris puts it, they need to understand that nothing is worth risking a life. It’s as simple as that.
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