Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on May 16, 2005
Journal of Public Health 2005 27(3):308-309; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdi033
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Correspondence |
Concerning: ‘Mobile phones and driving’
Paul Pilkington
Lecturer in Public Health University of the West of England Faculty of Health and Social Care Glenside Campus Bristol paul.pilkington@uwe.ac.uk
Sirs,
It is heartening that Johal et al. observed a reduction in mobile phone use whilst driving, in the 10 weeks following the introduction of legislation.1 However, more significant is the long-term effects of the legislation, as there is evidence that it may not persist over time.2
A study in New York State found that, although mobile phone use whilst driving fell following legislation, within a year usage had risen back close to pre-law levels.2 There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that this is also happening in the UK.3
To explain and tackle this apparent short-term effect it is useful to distinguish between the introduction of the legislation itself (with the accompanying enforcement and penalty) and the publicity/education surrounding that legislation.
The observed short-term decreases in mobile phone usage whilst driving may be due to the legislation itself, and the consequent fear of being caught and penalised. However, the educational messages that accompanied the introduction of legislation may also have had an effect – national radio and television advertising not only publicized the new legislation but also explained the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.
Any trend in decreasing compliance could, therefore, be due to two reasons. First, following a period of compliance, some drivers may judge that the risk of being caught using their phone (and the penalty if caught) is small enough to warrant continued usage. And secondly, drivers may forget or downplay the dangers of using their mobile phone whilst driving, as a result of decreased publicity and education around the issue.
This calls for a policy response that addresses both enforcement and education. Indeed, the UK Road Safety Bill, currently before Parliament, seeks to increase the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving from £30 to £60 plus three penalty points.4 If introduced, these tougher measures should be combined with high-profile enforcement by police forces and regular education campaigns. This concurs with the conclusions of the New York study, which recommends vigorous enforcement campaigns accompanied by publicity in order to achieve long-term compliance.2
The Government should continue to monitor trends in usage of mobile phones whilst driving and alter policy accordingly. Depending on the impact of any changes made by the Road Safety Bill, the Government may have to consider even stronger deterrents to ensure that drivers respect this law aiming at protecting the public’s health.
Yours faithfully,
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References |
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 TOP References |
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- Johal S, Napier F, Britt-Compton J, Marshall T. Mobile phones and driving. J Pub Hlth 2005; 27: 112–113.
- McCartt AT, Geary LL. Longer term effects of New York State’s law on drivers’ handheld phone use. Inj. Prev. 2004; 10: 11–15.
[Abstract/Free Full Text] - BBC News Online. Motorists ‘flouting mobile ban’, 8 March 2004. Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3541237.stm (last accessed 7 April 2005).
- The United Kingdom Parliament. Road Safety Bill (introduced in the House of Commons on 30th November 2004). Available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/010/2005010.htm (last accessed 7 April 2005).
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