Journalists lose control to make a point

In order to raise awareness of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving, and of the recent change in the law, Devon County Council’s Road Safety Team conducted a series of unique and innovative demonstrations at Devon Drivers’ Centre (DDC), near Exeter.

The demonstrations, on 25 and 28 November, took the form of practical driving assessments on DDC’s purpose-built practice circuit and skidpan. Representatives from local newspapers, radio and television stations - as well as crews from national BBC News and BBC News 24 - were given the opportunity to drive in the company of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs).

During the drive participants were telephoned on a hand-held mobile and asked a series of complex questions while they were driving. At the same time they were also required to perform relatively complex driving tasks - including emergency braking, negotiating roundabouts and slalom courses, turning in and out of junctions and reverse parallel parking - under the direction of the ADI. Each ADI assessed the driving performance of the participants both while using their mobile and when the phone was not in use.

The same tests were also conducted on the skidpan to simulate winter driving conditions. Participants were assessed on their reaction times and skid control ability - both while using a mobile and when the phone was not in use.

For the vast majority of participants the detrimental effects of using a hand-held mobile while attempting to drive were clearly demonstrated. Most assessments showed dramatically lower scores in key areas such as positioning, use of steering, use of mirrors, observation, signalling, use of gears and braking. The emergency braking and skidpan assessments were particularly useful in demonstrating the difficulties of maintaining control - and where necessary regaining control - of a vehicle in an emergency while using a mobile.

The event attracted widespread positive publicity throughout Devon, as well as nationally via the BBC and BBC News 24.

For further information contact Mark Plumb, Mplumb@devon.gov.uk.