The number of drivers caught using their mobile phone when behind the wheel has dropped by one third, according to recent figures from the Road Safety Authority.
However, a second study carried out by the same organisation appeared to contradict the findings, prompting the question: how many drivers in Ireland are using their phones while behind the wheel?
Lunchtime Live spoke to listeners from around the country to find out.
Phone use while driving
Hugh, an auctioneer who travels a lot for work, started us off.
“We would see it [people on their phones] a lot, especially in congested traffic.
“I think the other side of things is pedestrians with their head in the phone and not looking as they cross traffic junctions.
“I think that’s another big factor that should be brought to light.
“[They are] part of the traffic fatalities, a big proportion of the fatalities are pedestrians.
"[Anyone] driving professionally, they don’t use a hand-held device - it’s important for their livelihood at the end of the day that they conform to the legislation that’s there."
The RSA also expressed some doubt on their latest research, because they looked at a previous study which was carried out by the driver’s attitude and behaviour survey, which found 23% of respondents said that they sometimes check their mobile for notifications from social media, messages and emails while driving.
'I don't believe the RSA statistics'
Liam from Tipperary also gave his take on the situation:
“The reality is I don’t think those figures are right from the RSA.
“You can see people looking down constantly, not keeping their eyes on the road.
“You’d come up against people that slightly drift across the road, you might have to give them a beep and shake them back into it to move them back across.
“A lot of the new cars have a 10 inch screen in the car, it’s like an iPad! They’re very distracting in cars."
Julia also gave her take on the issue.
“It’s when I’m walking I observe this, I’ve seen drivers and cyclists on their phones”
“Every car these days has Bluetooth, you don’t need to use your phone.
iPads
Another listener agreed with Julia.
“If you’re using Google Maps, it regularly prompts the user to interact with the phone, it will ask you if roadworks are present, if there’s speed cameras up ahead.
"I think it is insane that apps like this knowingly seek engagement from drivers and they're allowed do it."
One listener said that there’s a problem with people using iPads on long commutes.
“I have just seen an articulated truck on the Cork to Dublin motorway and he had an iPad on the steering wheel."
Ross is a driving instructor and gave his insight into what absurd distractions he has heard of from other drivers.
“I’ve heard of people eating a bowl of cereal on the way to work on the motorway, someone else shaving while driving down the M50!"
A listener said that there needs to be more incentives for people to not use their phone while driving, citing one instance, “Toyota did a thing recently where you got a free Circle K Coffee if you left your phone down when driving - but they’ve gotten rid of it!” they said.
Another listener described the expectations that employers can have with being on one’s phone constantly, "Here's another problem - I have been on zoom calls for work when in the car. Our CEO expects us to join while driving, I refuse to do it and get pulled up afterwards - is there no legislation against this?” she says.
