Examining the likelihood of having a car accident if using a mobile phone while driving

The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving was banned in the UK in December 2003, yet take a look around you on any journey and the chances are you'll still see someone chatting away with their phone held up to their ear.

Several surveys have actually concluded that using a phone behind the wheel is more dangerous than drink-driving and more likely to cause a car accident. It can be seen, therefore, that the seemingly harmless act of talking on a phone really can put lives at risk.

There is no doubt that having a mobile with you in the car can provide security and help in the case of a breakdown or an emergency but the temptation to answer it if it rings or to reply when a text message arrives should be avoided at all costs.

Hands-free devices and dashboard cradles are better than actually holding the phone but their use can still cause a lapse in concentration and so increase the risk of a vehicle accident. Driving a car requires your full attention at all times and, although it might seem like something that comes as second nature, even a couple of seconds of not watching the road or thinking about something else is enough to cause death or serious personal injury.

The fight against phones

Numerous people die or end up in intensive care every year as the result of car accidents caused by people using mobile phones and, as a result, road safety charities) have recently made big attempts to warn drivers of the dangers. (www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk & www.brake.org.uk)

The police are also clamping down firmly on drivers they spot using mobile phones and are using their powers to hand out fixed penalty fines of £30. If they feel the driver was not in proper control of their vehicle, they are also within their rights to charge them for careless or dangerous driving.

Slowly but surely the message is getting through and more and more people are finally beginning to use hands-free kits or are abandoning their phones altogether for the duration of their journey. But not everyone is taking the point on board and there are still far too many drivers risking a road traffic accident by refusing to leave their phones alone.

Speaking from experience

One young man who learnt the hard way spoke exclusively to Car Accident Advice Line, telling them why he would never again use his phone whilst behind the wheel.

The 26-year-old from Wiltshire, who asked to only be known as John, said, "I knew you weren't really supposed to do it but I used to use my mobile phone all the time when I was driving.

"I'd keep an eye out for police cars and if I was writing a text message I'd normally pull into the slow lane, but I was confident my ability to drive wouldn't be affected."

It seems John was wrong. One winter day in 2005 he was driving home from work along the M3 when he got a phone call from a friend. He answered the call and proceeded to talk for a few minutes, holding the phone with his right hand while steering with his left.

It was rush hour and the roads were fairly busy with cars braking continuously as the traffic built up. John was still in the outside lane, chatting on his phone and travelling at some speed, when the car in front braked suddenly as it neared the tail end of a traffic jam.

With his concentration split between his conversation with his friend and driving the car, John was unable to react quickly enough and crashed into the rear of the car in front. The collision occurred at more than 50mph and both vehicles were severely damaged. In addition to the damage to the cars, John received a whiplash injury and the people in the car ahead were also hurt, including a three-year-old girl.

"The instant the car accident happened I knew how stupid I'd been" said John.

"I felt terrible, not just because of the damage to the cars, but because it was my fault that the little girl in the car in front ended up in hospital with a head injury. I can't tell you how guilty that made me feel and I guess it was lucky that nobody was more seriously hurt.

"One thing's for sure, I haven't touched my mobile while I've been driving since and I never will again."

John and the little girl were among the lucky ones. Hundreds of people die on British roads every year because of drivers who refuse to leave their phone alone and countless more suffer serious and life-changing personal injuries.

The car accident compensation experts

If you've been hurt in a car accident as the result of someone who was driving whilst using their phone you could be in a position to make a personal injury compensation claim.

Here at Car Accident Advice Line we've helped thousands of people win compensation after being injured in a non-fault road accident and we're waiting to help you too. Our personal injury solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis and won't charge you a single penny for their services.

If you win your claim you will receive 100% of any compensation awarded and, win or lose, you won't be asked to contribute anything towards costs or legal fees.

We have a fantastic success rate and really are the best people to help you make a compensation claim following a car accident.

So pick up the phone and give us a ring today on 0808 143 43 42; we're waiting to take your call.