Author: Fuel Card Services

Drivers up and down the country have been urged to remember the importance of keeping their eyes and minds on the road, even when using hands-free mobile devices.

GEM Motoring Assist believes UK motorists should not underestimate the level of distraction that these devices can cause.

Hands-free doesn’t mean safe

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth argued that despite hands-free devices being legal, they still pose a risk to safety for all users.

“A hands-free device may allow you to keep both hands on the wheel, but ‘hands-free’ unfortunately doesn’t mean ‘brain-free’,” he commented. “Using your phone while driving is an avoidable distraction which raises the risk you pose to other road users.”

Mr Worth reminded drivers of the potential dangers they face when they take their concentration away from the road. He went on to add that mobile devices – whether hands-free or not – present an unacceptable level of risk to all road users.

To ensure safety, GEM advises drivers to only use mobile devices – including hands-free devices – when their vehicle is safely parked. They should also spend a few minutes ahead of any journey to make important calls, as this reduces the likelihood of having to answer while on the move.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Keeping your mind on the road is essential to ensure safety for drivers and those around them. As such, fleet operators should be reminding their drivers to only use hands-free devices when they are absolutely necessary.”

Vehicle breakdown and recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist believes the government should follow the lead of Northern Ireland and increase the penalties associated with not wearing a seatbelt.

The call follows the publication of the government’s latest road safety plans.

Seatbelts save lives

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth believes stiffer penalties for those who fail to wear seatbelts would send a strong message that this behaviour is simply unacceptable.

“Research shows time and again that seatbelt laws increase seatbelt use, and therefore reduce deaths and serious injuries,” he argued.

“We believe that tougher penalties, effectively enforced, would lead to a significant and immediate reduction in the number of drivers and vehicle occupants killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

At present, individuals found guilty of not wearing a seatbelt while driving in Northern Ireland face fines and three penalty points on their licence, while in the rest of the UK there are no penalty points awarded.

Mr Worth concluded the risk of death can be significantly reduced in the event of an accident by wearing a seatbelt, while the risk of serious injury can be cut in half. It therefore must be a priority to make more people accountable for their actions by implementing penalty points for this type of dangerous behaviour.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Simply put, seatbelts save lives. Passengers and drivers alike are taking their life in their hands when they do not buckle up.”

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