Motorists four times more likely to crash while using a mobile, warns RSA

AS hundreds of thousands of people prepare to take to the roads this bank-holiday weekend, the Road Safety Authority has warned that using mobile phones while driving increases the risk of a crash by up to four times.

“There is strong evidence that mobile phone use by drivers, either hand held or hands free, is a major contributory factor in increasing distraction that can lead to an increased risk of collisions,” an RSA spokesman said.

“Driver distraction is thought to play a role in 20%-30% of all road collisions. Using a mobile phone can increase the risk of being in a road collision up to four times.”