1 in 14 motorists admit to taking 'selfies' while driving

Research by price comparison website Confused.com shows that 1 in 14 motorists (seven per cent) admit to having taken a photograph while driving, and four per cent also use the social media app of the moment, Snapchat, to send photos to friends while at the wheel. In addition, 36 per cent of motorists admit to using their mobile phone when driving, mainly to make or answer calls (75 per cent) and send or check texts (43 per cent). Yet, despite so many flouting the law, only eight per cent say they have
March 20, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Research by price comparison website Confused.com shows that 1 in 14 motorists (seven per cent) admit to having taken a photograph while driving, and four per cent also use the social media app of the moment, Snapchat, to send photos to friends while at the wheel.

In addition, 36 per cent of motorists admit to using their mobile phone when driving, mainly to make or answer calls (75 per cent) and send or check texts (43 per cent). Yet, despite so many flouting the law, only eight per cent say they have actually been caught by police using their phone behind the wheel. Of those who have been caught, 57 per cent admit to continuing to use their phone while driving after their brush with the law.

6187 Institute of Advanced Motorists director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Research shows that it is simply not possible to use a mobile phone in any way whilst driving and stay safe no matter how confident you may be in your driving ability.  This seems to be another form of peer pressure to take part in the latest trend and the best way to avoid it is to give young people the skills to stand up for themselves and not follow the herd and post silly photographs online.  It is also really worrying that many drivers caught using a phone are not learning the lesson.  The IAM want to see more traffic police out there catching bad drivers but this survey would seem to suggest not even that will stop those addicted to using their smartphones."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ‘One in four drivers still using handheld phones while driving’
    September 21, 2017
    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
  • IAM RoadSmart: high profile policing and consistent sentencing need to back up life time sentences for drivers who kill
    October 17, 2017
    IAM RoadSmart (IRS) has welcomed the new UK government legislation that could issue life sentences to drivers who cause death by speeding, street racing or while a mobile phone, or under the influence of drink or drugs. However, the road safety charity warned that high profile policing and consistent jail sentences are also needed to tackle reckless driving that kills.
    Read More
  • Polarised imaging gives enforcement clarity
    February 6, 2020
    Polarised imaging advances have finally allowed ITS technology to catch up with previously unenforceable international bans on smoking in cars, says Sony’s Stephane Clauss
    Read More
  • TISPOL says gig economy tears up enforcement rulebook
    March 4, 2019
    The road safety enforcement sector is facing a crisis. Rulebooks around the world are going to have to change as our roads become a high-pressure workplace for millions of gig economy workers. Geoff Hadwick reports from the TISPOL conference Traffic police forces everywhere will need a fresh approach to regulating the way in which our highways are being used, senior enforcement officers were told at the latest TISPOL European Traffic Police Network annual conference. The World Health Organisation puts it
    Read More

Highlighted Content