HALF OF IRISH MOTORISTS USE A PHONE WHILE DRIVING, A THIRD SEND TEXTS
The AA has released results of a survey of over 10,000 Irish motorists which shows that as a nation we take our busy phone habits with us onto the roads. Half of all motorists use a mobile phone at some stage and a third will at some stage send a text.
“The great majority of motorists will only use a phone occasionally or never at all.” Says Director of Policy Conor Faughnan. “At the other extreme, there are about 3% to 5% who have the dreadful habit of phoning or texting regularly.”
10,700 motorists took part in the latest AA Motorists Panel survey. The results showed that while most motorists are law abiding and careful, many will get caught out occasionally. Then there is a small minority that clearly does not get the safety message and are using their phones all the time.
The results come as Road Safety Authority has released new figures this week which showed that 75,000 penalty points notices were issued for phone use last year.
“It is clearly a widespread problem.” Says Director of Policy Conor Faughnan. “It is obviously a dangerous behaviour to use the phone on the road but just as obviously we can all see that it happens every day. It’s a silly way to get penalty points and motorists have been warned.”
AA Motorists Panel Summer 2009 Survey Results (extract)
Q: Do you ever use a hand held phone while driving? (10,623 responses)
Daily 1.6%
Regularly 3.4%
Occasionally 14.2%
Seldom 30.7%
Never 50.1%
Q: Do you ever send a text while driving? (10,614 responses)
Daily 0.8%
Regularly 2.4%
Occasionally 9.9%
Seldom 20.4%
Never 66.5%