RAC: "Concerted, sustained effort needed from government, police and motorists" to end phone use epidemic

Following the conclusion of court proceedings against a driver caught using a handheld device while driving, RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said:

“This is a horrific case which serves to highlight the menace of handheld mobile phone at the wheel.

“A concerted, sustained effort is needed from government, the police and indeed all of us as individual motorists to tackle the epidemic of illegal handheld phone use.

“The RAC advocates a combined approach is taken to stamp out the practice which should include stronger enforcement of the existing law, harsher penalties for those caught and, crucially, a comprehensive package of driver education that challenges the commonly-held attitude that a quick check of a handheld phone while driving is somehow acceptable.

“But aside from what changes institutions can bring about it remains the case that all of us, as individual motorists, ultimately share responsibility for ensuring the safety both of ourselves and of other road users. As cases like this demonstrate, one distracted moment behind the wheel can have a multitude of unintended consequences and can destroy innocent lives. If the temptation to use a handheld phone to make calls, text or check social media while driving is just too strong, drivers are best served switching their phone to silent and keeping it well out of reach.”

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The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

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