Nearly half of drivers in Western Australia have admitted to texting while behind the wheel, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
A survey involving more than 600 motorists found 47 percent had responded to or initiated a text exchange while driving \u2014 despite 95 percent describing it either \u201cvery\u201d or \u201cextremely\u201d risky.<\/p>\n
The RAC, which carried out the research, said it was \u201cdeeply concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes an average of five seconds to read a text message but just a split second for a life to be changed forever,\u201d said Will Golsby, RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistracted driving is one of the leading causes of road trauma and it\u2019s clear far too many motorists are paying attention to their phones instead of the road ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 80 percent of the drivers surveyed admitted to using their phones while driving, with those aged between 17 and 39 three times more likely to have handled their phones while travelling at 70km an hour.<\/p>\n
The survey also revealed nearly 60 percent of motorists have never tried any strategy to prevent them from using their phone while driving.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d encourage more drivers to reduce the temptation by putting their phone out of reach, switching it off completely, or activating do-not-disturb mode,\u201d Golsby said.<\/p>\n