Half of drivers use their phones

MOBILE phones are being used by 55 per cent of drivers in Oldham

MORE than half of Oldham's population are using their mobile phones at the wheel, a new study has found.

Drivers are making online purchases, using dating apps, texting and checking social media despite 90 per cent of residents knowing it is an offence.

The Censuswide survey found that 55 per cent of residents in Oldham have used their phone while driving between 11mph and 40mph.

A 'worrying' eight million UK drivers continue to break the law, it was revealed in the survey, commissioned by law firm Jefferies Solicitors.

Managing director Michael Jefferies said: "It's worrying to see that people continue to take risks, despite being aware that using their mobile phone while driving is illegal.

"We see a large number of motoring offence claims involving serious injuries or fatalities and more recently, mobile phone use is investigated following a collision to determine the cause.

"These types of accidents can easily be avoided if drivers only use their phones when it's safe to do so."

Findings showed that 17 per cent of the town's drivers keep their phone somewhere that is easily accessible in the car.

The survey of 1,172 people revealed that one in three people in the borough see another resident using their phone but only one fifth react by shouting, gesturing or using their car horn.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "Research has firmly established that using a mobile phone while driving adversely affects driver performance.

"Drivers who use a mobile phone, whether hand-held or hands-free, are much less aware of what's happening on the road around them, fail to maintain proper lane position and react slowly.

"Using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of crashing, and injuring or killing innocent people.

"Sadly, as this survey shows, many people still use a mobile phone behind the wheel despite it being illegal and dangerous to do so."

The Oldham Chronicle has previously run campaigns to prevent offenders putting others' lives at risk by using their phones while driving.

Motorists caught using their mobile phones face three points on their licence and a fine of £60, with this rising to £1,000 if the case goes to court.