The hard truths about mobile phone use while driving

This Is Money published a powerful and deeply troubling article on the continuing problem of mobile phone use behind the wheel.

The piece, written by journalist Rob Hull, brought together a range of expert voices – and, as a long-standing road safety campaigner, I was quoted, reflecting the seriousness of the concerns raised. It confirmed what many of us working in road safety already knew: distracted driving remains widespread, dangerously normalised and still underestimated by too many.

Here’s what I said in the article:

“We’ve created a culture of entitlement on our roads, where driving is seen as a right, not a privilege. Years of declining roads policing, weak enforcement and a lack of proactive government leadership on road safety have left drivers feeling untouchable. "Many no longer fear detection, so they take the risk. Combine that with society’s deep-rooted addiction to mobile phones, and it’s a dangerous – and often deadly – mix. This should be a wake-up call to the Government. On average, five people are killed and hundreds more injured on our roads every single day – yet we seem dangerously complacent. "We would never accept this level of harm in any other area of life. We urgently need a robust and ambitious Road Safety Strategy, with clear national leadership, proper enforcement, and a culture shift that puts safety before mobility.”

Thanks again to This Is Money for highlighting this vital issue – and to everyone continuing to push for change.

Read the full article: This Is Money – Mobile phone use while driving