MEP Higgins calls for EU-wide ban on texting while driving

MEP Jim Higgins is calling for EU-wide legislation to be introduced which bans the practice of texting, emailing and web browsing while driving.

Mr Higgins is to question Transport Commissioner Kallas in the European Parliament later today over the Commission's response to the problem.

Texting while behind the wheel is said to be responsible for thousands of road deaths every year and a driver is 23 times more likely to be in an accident if texting.

Studies also show that when drivers text and drive, they lose around half of their peripheral vision, which could leave drivers blind to a stop sign, a cyclist, a pedestrian or even a car.

Mr Higgins said he intended to demand that the Commissioner for Transport introduce new legislation to tackle what he calls "an extremely dangerous practice".