Online Reporter
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel remains one of the most common forms of distracted driving, with new research from Germany suggesting the scale of the problem is far greater than official statistics indicate.
A study conducted by Germany’s automobile association, ADAC, found that mobile phone use while driving remains widespread despite the well-documented safety risks associated with the behaviour.
The findings come as road safety authorities around the world continue to grapple with the growing impact of smartphone-related distractions on crash rates.
One billion violations
According to ADAC, around 400 000 mobile phone offences are officially recorded in Germany every year.
However, a traffic survey conducted in five major cities suggests the real number could be substantially higher.
Researchers observed moving traffic in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich and found that 2,7 percent of motorists were using their phones illegally while driving.
When extrapolated across Germany’s annual traffic volumes, this could equate to as many as one billion mobile phone violations each year.
The study monitored 9 573 motorists and 9 239 cyclists.
Among motorists, 262 mobile phone violations were recorded, while 125 violations were observed among cyclists.
Cyclists were found to be less likely to use mobile phones while travelling, with an offence rate of 1,4 percent.
Looking down, not talking
The research found that most offenders were not making calls, but were instead looking at or interacting with their devices while holding them in their hands.
This type of distraction is particularly dangerous because it takes a driver’s eyes and concentration away from the road.
ADAC noted that looking at a smartphone for just two seconds while travelling at 50km/h means a vehicle covers approximately 28 metres without the driver paying full attention to the road ahead.
Admissions
A separate survey conducted alongside the study highlighted how common the behaviour has become.
More than half of drivers admitted to using their smartphones while driving, while 41 percent said they had experienced dangerous situations caused by other motorists using mobile phones behind the wheel.
The survey found strong public support for stricter enforcement measures.
Around 70 percent of respondents supported the use of camera systems capable of automatically detecting distracted driving offences. – IOL Motoring
