MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 04/16/12 — According to a survey commissioned by leading high street broker Swinton, just under half of young drivers admit to making or receiving a calls or texts when they are driving.
Swinton surveyed 2,900 young drivers(i) aged between 17 and 25 and found that two fifths (42.76%) admitted to the offence regardless of this being an crime that warrants a fixed penalty notice of GBP 60 and 3 points on a licence.
More worryingly, one in ten (12.35%) young drivers do not even consider it dangerous to make or receive calls while driving.
Changing tracks on a iPod/mp3 player was deemed -less- dangerous than using a mobile phone with a third (33.66%) saying it-s not a risk when behind the wheel.
Regionally, young drivers in the North West were deemed the biggest risk takers with nearly one in five (17.82%) stating that using a mobile when driving is not dangerous.
The temptation to use phones behind the wheel is increasing with modern cars now offering built-in iPhone docks and smartphone holders.
Steve Chelton, Claims Manager at Swinton said, “Young drivers are only allowed six penalty points in their first two years of driving so it is vital that they drive by the rules of the road. Penalty points on a young drivers licence will only increase an already costly premium.”
(i) researched completed by One Poll, October 2011
About Swinton
Contacts:
SKV Communications
Mairead Rodden or Lucy Gordon
0161 838 7770