Some ( more ) notes on the law
There a number of laws that can be used to prosecute the behaviour , including the specific law from 2003 . However , it is beoming increasingly apparent that this law is not as helpful as it might be ( See pages 60-61 )
The law can be difficult to interpret , understand and apply , focuses on a concept of ‘ use ’ that is outdated , and can be difficult to police .
These factors must all be considered in any attempt to tackle mobile phone use by drivers that is focused upon this particular law or ‘ offenders ’ generally as a group of people . Any approach that aims to reduce offending may unintentionally be pushing drivers towards another risky ( but legal ) alternative of handsfree mobile phone use while driving . We might find we are claiming an intervention was successful ( in terms of prosecution ) whilst also seeing our death and injury rates increase .
This doesn ’ t mean that those that break the law cannot be interacted with in meaningful ways or targeted as a group of individuals , it simply means that any approach should emphasise safe driving behaviour , not just increase familiarity with the law – to explain both legal and personal consequences – and to clarify that there are laws that cover distracted driving in a range of forms .
Whilst it may seem logical to turn to enforcement strategies to tackle offenders , it is crucial that we stay focussed on our aims and use all the means at our disposal – and that we are aware of the strengths and limitations of each .
Don ’ t just use images of a person holding a phone to their ear to represent ‘ mobile phone use while driving ’. Research suggests that this is less common than other forms of ‘ use ’ 1 such as texting . Don ’ t give drivers the impression that calls are the only form of ‘ use ’ we are targeting and cause texters to think our message doesn ’ t apply to them .
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1
DfT ( 2015 ). Seat belt and mobile phone use surveys : England and Scotland , 2015 . Statistical release . Available from : https :// assets . publishing . service . gov . uk / government / uploads / system / uploads / attachment _ data / file / 406723 / seatbelt-and-mobile-use-surveys-2014 . pdf