The Cast Iron Park Bench

Facebook and Twitter just don’t stop getting bad press. This time it is because drivers are using these sites, amongst others, while driving.

The year 2003 saw laws that banned the usage of mobile handsets without a hands free device while driving. However, the ban still hasn’t seemed to stop at lot of drivers and mobile Internet technology has made matters worse with drivers who cannot resist going online while on the move.

Research findings at Halfords have stated that almost one-third of the drivers surveyed talk on mobile phones while driving, and one-fourth of them read messages. Almost one-fifth of the drivers questioned in the research for such irresponsible behaviour have admitted to texting behind the wheel, and to using social networking sites as well.

Professor Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC foundation, has said that having telephonic conversations while driving can seriously impair your reaction mechanism – slow it down by almost half, while texting at the wheel can slow it down by a third. He has averred that, in Britain, the year 2008 saw sixteen fatal road accidents and several injured parties; the mere reason being the usage of mobile phones while driving. The RAC has stated its support on the ban on the usage of mobiles while driving.

A £60 fine is being levied on drivers who refuse to comply with the rule of using a hands-free while driving, along with three penalty points. Messages warning drivers to refrain from phone conversations at the steering wheel are also being sent out.

For mobile internet advice, internet safety news and latest deals such as free dongle – keep up-to-date with a dedicated mobile broadband website.