FED: More than one-third of motorists use mobiles while driving
By Melissa Jenkins
SYDNEY, April 13 AAP - One-third of Australian motorists admit using a mobile phonewithout a hands-free kit while driving, even though most know its illegal.
A nation-wide Telstra survey of drivers released today revealed 32 per cent of motoristsanswered their mobile without pulling over and 26 per cent had made calls while driving.
One in six drivers admitted to taking their eyes off the road to send text messages.
Only one-third of drivers thought using a handheld mobile phone was a major road safetyproblem while 20 per cent said it was only a minor safety problem or not an issue at all.
"The problem is we're a time strapped society and people see using the telephone whilethey're driving as an efficient use of time," Douglas Pearce from NRMA Insurance said.
Mr Pearce said NRMA Insurance's previous research clearly showed talking on a handheldmobile phone impacted on a driver's ability to control a vehicle.
"We liken it to Adam Gilchrist trying to keep wicket for Australia with one hand tiedbehind his back," he said.
"He might be able to catch a ball now and then but its not a very effective way to do his job."
Telstra consumer and marketing group managing director Ted Pretty said most peopledidn't think holding a mobile and driving was a problem until they had an accident.
Mr Pretty urged motorists to use a hands-free mobile kit in the car and he called onemployers to provide the kits to workers who were required to talk while driving.
With the Easter holiday season approaching, NSW police would be targeting motoristsusing their mobile phones when driving, Traffic Services Commander John Hartley said.
"Don't use a hand held mobile phone whilst driving because it's dangerous, stupid andunnecessary," he said.
Around 13,000 motorists had each been fined $220 last year and lost licence pointsfor the offence, Cdr Hartley said.
Motorists would be penalised an extra demerit point, up from three points, for mobilephone offences from April 11-27.
AAP mj/gmw/cjh/br
KEYWORD: MOBILES NIGHTLEAD
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