The UK Parliament’s Transport Committee is embarking on a series of evidence sessions and short inquiries exploring different areas of road safety where the Department for Transport could make a difference.
The first inquiry will investigate the impact of mobile phones on road safety. The Committee will consider:
- Use of mobile phones by drivers and the risks this poses
- The adequacy of legislation relating to mobile phone use by motorists
- How enforcement and education around mobile phone use can be improved
“Research shows that using a hand-held mobile phone impairs driving more than being above the drink drive limit,” said Chair of the Transport Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP. “In 2017 mobile phone use was a contributory factor in collisions leading to 773 casualties, including 43 fatalities. This is clearly unacceptable.
“The written evidence submitted to our inquiry suggests the use of mobile phones while driving is an issue of real concern. It has been against the law to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving since 2003, but there is still a significant minority of drivers who flout the law and continue to use their mobile phone when they are driving.”
Since April 24, the Committee has published more than one hundred pieces of written evidence covering a wide range of issues from drink drive limits, to the rules which apply to new and novice drivers, and the safety of roadside rescue and recovery workers.
