DRIVERS using mobile phones at the wheel has resulted in over 50 people being injured on Warwickshire’s roads.
Highway chiefs at Warwickshire County Council are warning of the dangers of using smartphones while driving.
Drivers looking at apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Whatsapp – or making calls and texts behind the wheel – have led to eight serious and 45 minor injuries in the past three years.
And the alarming figures do not even account for damage-only collisions or near misses.
There are some 70 fatal accidents on Britain’s roads each year caused by ‘distraction in vehicle’ with mobile phone usage responsible for nearly a third.
County council community safety spokesman Coun John Horner said: “Smartphones are a particular concern due to the desire to constantly check or post updates.
“This, along with constant notifications, can create a significant distraction to drivers – a problem that can only get worse as more and more people use their phone as a sat-nav.
“Our road safety team and Warwickshire Police will continue to monitor collision causation factors to determine the extent of the problem of phone distraction.”
The council issued the following advice to motorists:
– Don’t use your phone – just drive
– Keep your phone somewhere safe but out of sight such as in a case, glovebox or handbag
– If the phone rings, let it go to voicemail, pull over somewhere safe and return the call
– Ignore notification sounds by putting your phone to mute – nothing is that urgent to put yourself and others in danger while driving.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/justdrive for more information.
