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As dangerous as drink driving, so why is it so common?

6.10.2017

In a survey, 59% of respondents thought that using a mobile phone while driving was more dangerous than speeding, while 57% thought it was on par with drink driving.

A recent survey of road users by Keep Australia Moving showed that while the dangers of mobile phone distraction while driving are well known, younger drivers in particular are still using their phones behind the wheel, and they’re less afraid of being caught.

59% of respondents thought that using a mobile phone while driving was more dangerous than speeding, while 57% thought it was on par with drink driving. Despite this, 22% of 16 to 24-year-old respondents said they use their phone most or every trip, and a staggering 62% were confident they wouldn’t be caught using their phones.

This follows an NRMA report that found that 41 percent of people involved in serious casualty crashes between 2008 and 2016 where a hand-held mobile phone was a contributing factor were aged 25 or under, even though drivers in this category comprise only 16 per cent of the motoring population.

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