Stronger action to tackle 'killer' use of phones while driving urged

Road Safety Authority CEO Sam Waide said technology should be used to detect and punish phone use. Picture: Keith Arkins 

Stronger action is needed to tackle the "killer" use of mobile phones while driving, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

The Oireachtas transport committee on Wednesday heard from representatives of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), with CEO Sam Waide saying that one-in-five people look at their phone while driving and one in ten admit to speaking on a phone held in their hand while driving, behaviours he said were not as low-risk as the public perceives.