Car insurance sector hit by driver phone use
Use of handsets increases accidents and car insurance costs. Increasing numbers of UK motorists are adopting the dangerous habit of using their mobile phone handsets while on the road, leading to higher accident rates and car insurance premiums.
Figures from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) suggested that the proportion of motorists breaking the rules in this way has risen from 2.6% in 2006 to 2.8% in 2009.
This is despite the fact that tougher punishments for drivers found to be using their handsets in cars, which can include three points on the motorist’s licence and a £60 fine, were introduced two years ago.
Data from TRL suggested that mobile phone use distracts the driver from the road, making them four times more likely to crash.
Higher accident rates lead to more car insurance claims being made, which in turn results in costlier premiums.
Edmund King, president of motorists’ group and car insurance provider the AA, told the BBC: “I think we need more police campaigns [on the issue], I think we need more publicity campaigns.
“If you think back to seat-belt wearing, ‘clunk, click, every trip’ … gradually had an effect but it does take time.”
Prior to the new rules being introduced in 2006, those who used mobile phones while driving could only expect a fine of £30 and no penalty points were applied to licences for the offence.
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