Almost every driver fails to maintain a phone-free ride during their commute, as revealed by recent findings.
Revamped Article:
Phones and driving don't mix, according to a stunning new study. The research indicates that a whopping 90% of motorists can't finish a journey without getting distracted by their phone, despite potential fines and the risk of getting caught by ** Cutting-edge roadside camera technology.**
The analysis, conducted by IMS, looked at driving data from over half a million motorists over the past year. It found that just 10% of drivers completed their journey without using their phone in some capacity.[1] This translates to a staggering 37.8 million drivers potentially being distracted behind the wheel in the UK.[1]
The study categorized distractions on three levels: low, medium, and high risk. Low risk included drivers using Bluetooth headsets or their in-car stereo for calls, while medium risk covered those accepting video calls on their phone's camera or conversing over loudspeaker.[1] The highest distraction level involved drivers touching and looking at their phone screen, a punishable offense.[1]
Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that even after halting a distracting activity, a driver's focus remains impaired for up to 13 seconds.[1] At a speed of 55mph, this delay equals traveling the length of three football fields without full attention on the road.[1]
Professor Gemma Briggs, an expert in Applied Cognitive Psychology at the Open University, warns that all phone use—even hands-free—interferes with a driver's awareness and mental processing capacity, increasing the likelihood of accidents.[1] Studies show that phone-using drivers are four times more likely to crash than those who don't use their phones, with many failing to notice hazards entirely or reacting slowly.[1]
Some 23 fatalities on the road last year were attributed to a driver using their phone, while 'distraction or impairment' is the third-largest contributor to fatalities on Britain's roads.[1] With over 1,600 deaths on Britain's roads in 2023, this finding is alarming.[1]
Edmund King, AA president, calls for a stronger police presence to enforce mobile phone laws, arguing that it's time to view using a phone while driving as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.[1]
Modern cars' large, complex infotainment screens often demand drivers take their eyes off the road for longer periods to adjust music, temperature, or even vehicle mirrors.[1] The potential of these systems as a distraction concern has been hinted at, but requires further study to quantify its impact.
What the study found:
IMS, a leading telematics data and connected motor insurance solutions firm, conducted this study. They analyzed data collected from policyholders using usage-based insurance policies over the last 12 months.[1] This data included providers like Aviva, Allianz, Admiral, and Hastings, who offer smartphone apps to monitor driving behavior, provide coaching, and offer lower premiums to safer drivers.[1]
The study analyzed the driving habits of approximately 500,000 customers using these policies.[1] It measured distraction on three levels: low, medium, and high risk.[1] Low risk included phone use via Bluetooth or the car stereo, medium risk included video calls and loudspeaker conversations, and high risk involved both touching and looking at the phone screen.[1]
Sources:[1] Original Article
- Usage-based insurance policies, provided by companies like Aviva, Allianz, Admiral, and Hastings, offer lower premiums to motorists who demonstrate safe driving habits, following analysis of their driving behavior.
- The study conducted by IMS, a leading firm in telematics data and connected motor insurance solutions, found that 90% of motorists utilizing these policies were distracted during their journeys, with these distractions being categorized as low, medium, or high risk.
- Distractions rooted in technology, such as phone calls or music adjustments made via the car's infotainment system, can constitute a high level of distraction that demands the driver's attention, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
- Technology advancements in car-maintenance procedures, such as remote diagnostics and digital service reminders, have the potential to decrease distractions for the motorist, allowing them to focus on the road and their driving lifestyle.
- It is evident that engaging in distractions while driving, including using a phone, constitutes a significant risk factor that can lead to accidents, impaired focus, and poor car-maintenance habits, ultimately impacting the overall safety and efficiency of driving experience.
