Concerns over the use of mobile phones whilst driving vans and other work vehicles!

Concerns over the use of mobile phones whilst driving vans and other work vehicles!

29/07/2022

General

The Department of Transport (DfT) 1 prepare an annual report based on roadside survey carried out in Autumn 2021. It showed that van drivers are twice as likely to use a hand-held device.

The proportion of van drivers observed using a mobile phone whilst driving was double that of car drivers. Taxi and PHL drivers were much lower overall, with males and drivers between the ages of 17 – 29 being more likely to drive whilst using a phone than female or driver over the age of 60.

More worrying is that fact that HGV drivers had the higher proportion of phone use whilst driving.

Chart – Hand-held mobile phone use by vehicle type, GB 20211

Of course, these are those identified as using a phone within the remit of the survey. Self reported figures2 show that in 2019/20 46.9% of drivers admitted phone use whilst driving an increase of almost 5 % on the previous year and 78% of those driving for work admitted phone use.

Further research into mobile phone use by the DfT3 came to some interesting conclusions:

  • Mobile phones are a growing presence in motorists journeys with motorists have an increasing dependence on them.
  • Most drivers are aware that it is illegal but are unaware of the consequences

Overall it found that tackling mobile phone use while driving was much more complex than greater enforcement measures or interventions to discourage. In fact 64% of those asked did not know the penalties and their in vehicle phone use was driven not by reckless risk taking but habit.

So what factors cause drivers to use their phones

  • 59% check out of habit
  • 52% keep their phones close to hand whilst driving
  • 39% ensure that they can see their screens
  • 39% to receive news/directions
  • 38% use their phone to update people on their journey
  • 24% for no particular reason at all
  • 22% for work related purposes
  • 8% out of boredom

Phone use whilst driving is an key issue for employers and drivers and one which needs to be addressed by businesses to comply with not only health and safety regulations but also to enhance their corporate and social responsibility.

It obvious from the research, that threatening drivers with penalties or in the case of employers with threats of dismissal does not work.  There are numerous factors involved as to why drivers use their phones and it is more about education and training being implemented by employers to break these habits. Whilst, at the same time having policies, procedures and equipment in place to reduce the risk of phone use.

Employers and drivers should be aware that driving whilst using a mobile phone is not much easier for the police to prove with the introduction of a new definition of the term “use”. Auriga did an article on the changes in the law4 which outlines the specific definitions but now any phone use at all whether calls, text, videos, photographs or note taking will result in an offence being committed.

Employers and drivers should also be aware that much more serious offences could also follow such as:

  • Dangerous driving
  • Causing serious injury by dangerous driving
  • Driving without due care and attention
  • Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

Employers could find themselves in breach of Health and Safety legislation and potentially Corporate Manslaughter if polices and procedures are not in place to deal with this high risk activity.  Not only could the business face crippling fines but the Directors responsible could find themselves in custody.

Auriga Fleet can help. Not only do we provide policies and procedures for companies, we can provide quick, easy and effective training on our DriveBright platform for Mobile phone use and safer driving. Or contact us on 01270 509496 for more information

 

https://drivebright.auriga-advocates.com/pages/home/?site_template_id=5fd0e1588a5d0004982ddb0a

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References:

 

  1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seatbelt-and-mobile-phone-use-surveys-2021/mobile-phone-use-by-drivers-
  2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/922541/ras51105.ods
  3. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-on-the-use-of-mobile-phones-while-driving
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