Ministers to urge use of ‘drive safe’ modes for mobile phones

An informal meeting in Whitehall is due to take place early in 2017, according to the Guardian, in which ministers and officials will tell mobile companies that ‘drive safe’ modes, similar to the airplane mode that has become standard, must be included in basic software ahead of a broader crackdown on illegal mobile phone use on the roads. In spring 2017, the fixed penalty for using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device will double to US$248 (£200). The fixed penalty notice will increa
December 20, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
An informal meeting in Whitehall is due to take place early in 2017, according to the Guardian, in which ministers and officials will tell mobile companies that ‘drive safe’ modes, similar to the airplane mode that has become standard, must be included in basic software ahead of a broader crackdown on illegal mobile phone use on the roads.

In spring 2017, the fixed penalty for using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device will double to US$248 (£200). The fixed penalty notice will increase from three to six points.

Ministers are concerned by the number of deaths that are at least partly attributed to being distracted by mobile phones, about 20 a year, with ‘distraction in vehicle’ a factor in 70 deaths annually.

Transport minister Lord Ahmad said the meeting would “consider safe drive modes, or other practical applications, when a person is driving”.

But road safety campaigners said the government should compel manufacturers to include a drive safe button, if they resisted ministerial pressure.

A separate 4961 RAC Foundation-commissioned report published this summer found that without a legal obligation, few companies would include software that limited the use of their equipment, because it would put them at a commercial disadvantage and they felt the onus was on the driver to make sure their use of technology complied with the law.

Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Drivers must carry the personal responsibility for avoiding distraction when they are at the wheel, but telecoms companies surely have an obligation to help them do the right thing, something we’re discussing with the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT). If industry doesn’t help voluntarily, then maybe we need to consider legislative options.”

According to Gary Rae, the campaigns director for road safety charity 4235 Brake, the use of mobiles behind the wheel is a growing menace. “The technology exists now to shut off mobiles when they’re in a vehicle. It just needs the political will to make this happen. We’re ready to take part in any talks between government, vehicle manufacturers and mobile operators,” he said.

A Department for Transport spokesman said the Department was determined to crack down on mobile phone use at the wheel and its plans to double penalties should act as a strong deterrent. It will continue to explore what more can be done.
Networking & Communication Systems

Related Content

  • September 21, 2017
    ‘One in four drivers still using handheld phones while driving’
    New research by UK motoring association the RAC reveals that nearly one in four drivers still makes or receives calls while driving, despite the doubling of penalties for the offence in March 2017, to six points and a £200 fine. In September 2016 the RAC revealed that the illegal use of handheld mobile phones at the wheel had reached epidemic proportions. Days later the Government announced the penalty for the offence would increase to six points and a £200 fine in a bid to stamp out the dangerous habit.
    Read More
  • November 27, 2015
    Brake, FTA welcome new guidelines on reporting medically ‘unfit’ drivers
    Road safety charity Brake and the Freight Transport Association have welcomed the General Medial Council’s strengthened guidelines to all doctors emphasising their duty to disclose information to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or DVA (Northern Ireland), where the patient has failed to act. It’s a shift that’s welcomed by road safety charity, Brake, which has long called for greater clarity from the GMC. Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns for the charity, said: “This is
    Read More
  • September 15, 2016
    UK motorists ‘relax attitudes’ on distracted driving
    Research for the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 has revealed that for some, attitudes towards handheld mobile use have worryingly relaxed over the last two years. The proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone has doubled from seven per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent in 2016 and the percentage of drivers who feel it is safe to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, either at traffic lights or in congestion, has increased from 14 per cent in
    Read More
  • September 23, 2016
    New driver study reveals Britain’s ten worst driving habits
    According to a study by business driving expert, the Fuelcard Company, which questioned 1,000 drivers across the UK more than half of British drivers (52 per cent) have picked up some potentially dangerous driving habits. These include going too fast or too slow, texting while driving, using the phone or hands-free, eating or smoking at the wheel, driving too close to other vehicles, throwing rubbish out of the window, hogging the middle lane and checking phone notifications. Interestingly, more than
    Read More

Highlighted Content