Texting at wheel more dangerous than drink driving

TEXTING while driving a car can be three times more dangerous than being behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

A study has provided further insight into the specific dangers associated with the writing and sending of text messages by motorists, showing they are significantly slower in reacting to potential hazards on the road.

It revealed that driving behaviour is seriously impaired by writing and reading text messages, with reaction times up to 35% slower than under normal driving conditions.

In contrast, the reaction time of motorists who drive at the legal blood-alcohol limit is only 12% slower, while drivers who have taken cannabis averaged a reaction time that was 21% slower.

It also showed that the driving behaviour of females drivers who text is far more erratic than their male counterparts, although they are also more likely to slow down when texting.

The study by the British Transport Research Laboratory examined the effect of text messaging on driver behaviour by testing the reaction of young drivers aged 17-24 using a driving simulator.

On average, the time it took a driver to react increased from 1.2 seconds to 1.6 seconds when using a mobile phone to send texts, a critical amount of time when responding to potential hazards according to road safety experts.

It also emerged that motorists are far more likely to drift out of their lane when texting, while they are also less able to maintain a constant distance behind another vehicle.

The study was carried out as a separate report published last year revealed 45% of young drivers regularly send text messages while driving.

Most respondents admitted they were also confused about the legality of texting when driving.

In the Republic, it is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body when driving unless you are making an emergency call.

Anyone caught using a mobile phone is liable for a fixed charge notice of €60 — an offence which also incurs two penalty points.

Motorists who fail to pay the fine and end up with a court conviction will get four penalty points and a fine of up to €2,000.

Although using a hands-free kit is not illegal, the Road Safety Authority advises motorists that it can affect their concentration, while they could also still be liable to be prosecuted for other motoring offences including careless or dangerous driving.

It is estimated that on average 230 motorists a week are given penalty points for using their mobile phone when driving since it became an offence in September 2006.