Hands-free, danger free?

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Although it is legal to use a hands-free kit to make a call whilst driving, over two fifths (41 per cent) of motorists think the use of hands-free kits should be banned and 71 per cent of motorists polled think that they are a distraction to the driver1. Research commissioned by esure car insurance reveals that nearly half (48 per cent) of motorists believe that users of hands-free kits are needlessly putting their own and other motorists’ safety at risk.

Despite there being many legal hands-free phone accessories on sale in England and Wales, 2,986 motorists were prosecuted in 20072 for failing to have proper control of their vehicle while being distracted by hands-free phone calls. Previous research3 by TRL also proves that drivers using phones are four times more likely to have an accident. There is growing concern as esure’s research reveals that approximately 16 million motorists4 regularly make hands-free calls whilst driving.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "Although the use of hands-free kits is legal, motorists should always ensure that they pay full attention to the road as opposed to a phone conversation. Any distraction that may compromise the concentration of motorists should be avoided as motorists need to have full control of their vehicle at all times.

esure urges motorists to either put their phones on silent when driving or, to remove the temptation of answering a call when behind the wheel, to make sure they switch off their phones until they have also switched off their engines."

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Using a hands-free phone while driving is just as dangerous as using a hand-held phone because of the mental distraction caused by the telephone conversation. RoSPA has always said that the use of hands-free phone kits while driving should have been made illegal at the same time as hand-held phones were. We urge employers in particular to ensure their employees do not use any type of mobile phone when they are driving for work."

80 per cent of motorists also agree that perpetrators of careless driving should receive a fine and on the spot penalty points - a subject that is currently the focus of a Department of Transport consultation paper5 which plans to give police powers to issue fixed penalties for careless driving in a bid to make roads safer.

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

  1. esure used the independent online research company FlyResearch who surveyed 1,000 of the UK's motorists, from across the country aged 18 and over between 20th and 23rd February 2009. Interviews were conducted across the UK via an online questionnaire. Fly Research is an online market research company. Its researchers are members of the MRS and Esomar, and abide by their guidelines. Further information at www.flyresearch.com
  2. A survey of police forces in England and Wales indicates that the following numbers of people were issued with a fixed penalty notice or taken to court for mobile phone offences (please see table below).
  3. Research carried out by TRL. http://www.trl.co.uk
  4. 16.4 million is an estimation based on 49 per cent of the total UK motoring population based on DfT Transport Statistics - 33,522,106 motor vehicles currently licensed 2006. This is a projected figure based on the 1,000 motorists surveyed.
  5. Department for Transport: Open consultations
Offences 2006 2007
Hand-held phone offences 169,614 185,639
Failing to have proper control offences (used to deal with those distracted by a hands-free phone) 5,061 2,986
Total 174,675 188,625

Useful information:

Motorist prosecutions who have caused accidents while talking on hands-free kits:

Using a hand held mobile phone while driving was made illegal in December 2003. Section 26 of the Road Safety Act 2006 increased the fixed penalty for drivers using a hand held phone or similar device from 27 February 2007. The penalty rose from £30 to £60 and three penalty points. The same changes were made to the penalties for not having proper control of a vehicle - a measure which can be used where a driver has been distracted by using a hands-free mobile phones. If the police or the driver chooses to take a case to court rather than use a fixed penalty notice, the penalty on conviction is 3 points, discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches).

esure's press contacts:

For further information please contact the esure press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email esure@mischiefpr.com

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About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury’s, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.

Sponsorship:

esure has secured two of the UK's most iconic sponsorships: the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins.