57% of UK van drivers still physically check their mobile phones while driving, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles research. This means many drivers are risking a £200 fine, six penalty points, and reputational damage if caught driving and using a mobile phone.
Novice drivers, who only passed their driving test in the last 2 years, risk losing their licence if caught (6 points within the first two years results in automatic disqualification).
Fleets are being reminded that it’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving under virtually any circumstance. Drivers are breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any use, including to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games. The law still applies when stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or driving a car that turns off the engine when it stops moving.
A recently released Department for Transport survey found that van drivers are more than twice as likely to use their mobile phones while driving as all other types of drivers, demonstrating the severity of the issue amongst UK van drivers.
While it remains to be seen what’s causing so many drivers to continue breaking the law at some point during the day, IAM RoadSmart is calling on drivers and employers to remain aware of the importance of avoiding phone distractions when driving.
A reminder for business drivers:
- Using any phone behind the wheel makes you four times more likely to crash
- The primary impairment that drivers face from using a phone behind the wheel, is the mental distraction from the driving task.
- Research has shown that after using your phone, it can take half a minute to regain full attention, during which time your driving is impaired
Two top tips for business drivers:
- Do not multitask – even the shortest phone call takes your attention away from the road. Fleet drivers may find themselves under pressure to multi-task, but it’s important to remember that managing these risks result in a safer environment for all road users.
- Maintain maximum focus – most crashes happen close to home, so ensure familiarity does not take over from your focus on frequently travelled routes. Glancing away from the road to check your phone for just a second can make you miss a vital hazard leading to a potentially dangerous situation.
Managers, please remember:
If you are manager and need to contact one of your drivers on the road, do not expect them to answer right away. It is safer for them to pull over and call you back. Factoring in time to do this will allow them to manage their distractions effectively.
IAM RoadSmart offers highly effective solutions to mitigate risks from distractions for drivers and fleet managers. Get in touch if you’d like more advice on how to enhance your fleet safety and protect your drivers.
