A quarter of all drivers admit to texting at wheel
IRISH drivers are risking lives by using electronic devices while behind the wheel of cars, new figures have revealed.
Just over a quarter – or 26% – of drivers in Ireland admitted to sending text messages while driving.
Reacting to the findings, Michael Bannon, Underwriting Manager with Aviva Motor Insurance said: ‘It is shocking to find that so many drivers are taking such risks, given all that we know about road safety.
‘Just a split second of distraction or lapse in concentration can result in death on the road.’
He added: ‘Driving is among the most hazardous activities we undertake in our lives.’
Some 15% of Irish drivers admitted to checking or posting to social media while driving.
The UK has the lowest rate with 7% admitting to using social media while driving.
However, Indian drivers fared the worst with 41% using electronic devices while driving.
The current penalty in Ireland for driving while holding a mobile phone is a €60 fine and two penalty points on your driver’s licence.
However, if the fine is not paid and the offender is convicted in court the fine increases to €2,000 with four penalty points, according to the Road Safety Authority.
Technology was not the only contributing factor that causes distractions on the road.
The research also found that 40% of Irish drivers admit driving while excessively tired compared to 31% in the UK, while 60% of drivers in Ireland admitted that they eat or drink while driving – the highest proportion in Europe.
Earlier this month, Irish driving habits again came under scrutiny with Transport Minister Shane Ross proposing that all convicted drink drivers be disqualified from driving. Current legislation states that drivers caught with an alcohol limit of between 50-80mg per 100ml of blood will receive three penalty points and a €200 fine for a first offence.
Minister Ross wants to change the legislation, announcing earlier this year that he wants a total ban on alcohol for all drivers.
He said: ‘It’s not something that people here feel is palatable to accept but that’s the implications and I’d like to bring it lower because you save lives by stopping people drinking.’