Almost half of all motorists have admitted to using their phone whilst behind the wheel, despite mobile use while driving being banned for 10 years.

A survey by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line found three in 10 drivers send or read texts while driving, and one in eight use apps. The charity believes that the current ban on using hand-held devices behind the wheels has left many drivers unaware that using a hands-free mobile at the wheel is just as risky. However, studies have shown the risk of being in a crash that causes injury is increased four times for drivers on both hand-held and hands-free phones, with reactions 50% slower than under normal conditions.

It has been shown that the effect of using a phone whilst driving is greater than drinking certain levels of alcohol. Reaction times have been found to be 30% slower while using a hands-free phone than driving with a blood alcohol level of 80mg/100ml blood (the current UK limit).

A recent survey has found that phone use whilst driving is the UK’s most hated habit, with it appearing as more of a nuisance to older motorists.

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An innovative solution from tech giants Apple could soon put a stop to motorists who drive whilst texting.

The Apple patent, titled “Driver Handheld Computing Device lock-Out” was published on Tuesday, and suggests a variety of ways to limit those behind the wheel from using their phones.

One of the ways it would work is by using the phone’s in-built sensors to detect movement above a certain speed that would suggest the user is driving, or by using the phone’s camera to detect if the phone is being held by the driver.

If the phone recognises that its owner is indeed behind a wheel, it would automatically disable any other functions such as texting or calling.

Another concept proposed was that the phone would be silenced by the car itself – in that once the ignition is started, a signal would be sent to jam the phone until the engine has been shut off once more.

Whilst both ideas sound feasible, this technology may be a long way off hitting the market.

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Safe driving from Britannia!

10,797 drivers with fewer than two years’ experience lost their licences in 2012 a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA has found. Drivers who receive six or more points within the first two years of driving automatically have their licence revoked.

More than half of the licences revoked were found without insurance, with speeding being the second most common cause. Approximately 0.6% of licences were revoked as a result of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Scott Pendry of the Association of British Insurers said that uninsured drivers are much easier to catch hence being the reason for most of the licences being revoked. Road Safety charity Brake has expressed concern in these figures stating that it seeks to protect new drivers by educating them in the risks of driving uninsured.

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As we edge into the longed-for Easter Bank Holiday weekend, whilst many of us will be looking forward to taking countryside drives, family days out or even a long weekend away, it is necessary to bear in mind that the roads will become much busier at this time of year, and therefore much more dangerous.

Here are Britannia’s top tips to avoid the Bank Holiday Mayhem:

Plan your journey. If you are going for a drive, try to avoid roads with heavy congestion, such as motorways at rush hour or main roads into town and city centres.

Prepare well. Whilst this is a vital precaution for all journeys, this goes double for Bank Holidays. Perform your pre-flight checks before any long journey – this includes oil, petrol, water, electrics, lights, brakes, the works.

Drive respectfully. While other drivers may be driving erratically in the summer sun or ignoring any sense of road etiquette, drive respectfully to other drivers and they will be much more likely to drive respectfully to you.

Safe driving this Bank Holiday Weekend from Britannia!

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More than 1000 drivers have been caught breaking the law whilst driving in just two weeks.

Each of these was guilty of either failing to wear a seat belt, or using a mobile phone whilst driving.

The figures have come as part of a crackdown carried out by Nottingham Police – however the results are far from inspiring.

Andy Charlton (Chief Inspector of Nottinghamshire Police) has said of the issue: “Sadly this isn’t a surprise – despite similar campaigns in 2012 and 2013 – it shows a significant number of people still regard their addiction to their phone as more important than the safety of others and themselves. Wearing a seatbelt was made compulsory over thirty years ago, there can be no excuse for not wearing one. Nor can there be for using a phone at the wheel.”

The drivers that were found guilty of the driving offences were offered a choice between a driving awareness course, or three points on the license as well as a £100 fine. Those guilty of failing to wear a seat belt faced a similar punishment.

Britannia has recently reported on the most hated habits of drivers on UK roads… and it seems that these are more common than ever.

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A recent survey carried out on over 2000 UK drivers, has revealed that motorists having a chat on the phone is the UK’s most despised driving habit.

A whopping 47 per cent of those questioned have said that this is the worse driving activity, followed closely by the previous bug of tailgating at 42%.

The survey, carried out on behalf of Kwik-Fit, also shows that 35% hate those that fail to indicate, with just less than a third loathing dangerous overtakers, and just over a quarter detesting lane-hoggers.

Last minute braking, undertaking, and nervous drivers also came into the top 10, followed by slow exits from traffic lights, and ironically skipping traffic lights altogether.

In response to the survey, the director of Communications Roger Griggs has released the following statement:

“These driving habits aren’t just annoying, they are dangerous and some of them against the law. You’re four times more likely to have an accident if you use a mobile while driving, in addition to the frustration it causes for fellow motorists.

“With on-the-spot penalties for motorists who hog the middle lane, tailgate or cut up other vehicles being introduced last year, it highlights just how serious these anti-social driving behaviours are being taken.”

What are your most hated driving habits? Let us know in the comments section below!

Safe driving from Britannia!