So , even the most simple forms of data , such as frequency of self-reported offending , can be analysed in useful ways when they are combined with information regarding age , gender , and reasons for driving , for example . This would allow analyses to recognise what gender and age category of individuals are more likely to report offending , and also why those individuals claim to use their phones while driving . We might guess it ’ s because of time pressure , but actually discover that boredom plays a big part , for example .
Using programmes as simple as Microsoft Excel allows you to establish the percentage of drivers involved in a collision who are male or female , are of a certain age or live in a certain geographical area ( providing you also have that information ), as well as to develop charts and graphs that pictorially represent any differences between genders , age groups or location . Visualisation of the data can help you to understand what it shows , but also helps to persuade others who may need convincing to act , or to resource activity .
The MAST online capability described on page 13 also allows these analyses to be performed . More advanced packages will generally allow you to do more , but will also require additional data analysis skills .
The RAC Report on Motoring provides some data regarding the issue of mobile phone use by drivers . The 2019 Report ¹ found that 23 % of drivers admitted to making or receiving a handheld call while driving . 17 % admitted to checking text messages , emails or social media while driving . These were all slight increases on the results obtained the previous year .
This highlights a couple of important issues with what we ‘ know ’ about the problem . Firstly , there are lots of forms of ‘ use ’ of a phone and , secondly , not all of these are illegal - even though they are distracting . We explore these issues later in the compendium .
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¹ RAC ( 2019 ) Report on Motoring , Available from https :// www . rac . co . uk / drive / features / report-on-motoring-2019 /