A new study has shown a rise in drivers in Ireland using their mobile phone while behind the wheel.
The newly published research from the Road Safety Authority found nine per cent of motorists were observed using a mobile device, an increase on the figure of six per cent in the 2022 survey.
The study was conducted at 145 sites nationwide in September and October 2023. It involved trained personnel standing at the roadside and observing the rate of handheld mobile device usage among drivers of passenger cars, goods vehicles, buses and coaches as they passed.
The highest rate of handheld mobile device usage was seen by drivers of light goods vehicles at 13 per cent, with rates ranging from between six per cent and eight per cent amongst drivers of other vehicle types.
Of the drivers observed using a handheld mobile device, 59 per cent were using the device in hand and 41 per cent were using the device at their ear. Overall, males were more likely to be observed using a handheld mobile device than females.
“Distracted driving due to handheld mobile device usage is one of the dangerous behaviours that leads to road traffic collisions,” said Minister for State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless.
“This is highlighted by data from the World Health Organisation which indicates that drivers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.”
The RSA has also published its review of road traffic fatalities for the first half of 2024. During the period 1 January to 28 July, there were 113 fatalities on Irish roads, an increase of 17 on the equivalent period in 2023.
