Abuse of Connectivity Sparks Most Driver Anger

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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7th November 2019

Motorists are getting more enraged by others both deploying their vehicle’s connectivity proper than any other driving misdemeanor.

That’s the finding of a UK study that suggests motorists list the use of mobile phones for conversations or for social media activity while driving as their most frustrating observations of other road users. The research by car parts fitter Kwik Fit found 56% of those surveyed placed the manual use of mobile devices on the move as their top annoyance.

It suggests that consumers are now becoming so comfortable with on-board connectivity to handle all their communications requirements that to see others abusing its use is even more annoying than drivers who tailgate, fail to indicate when turning and overtaking in dangerous situations.

These findings come as the UK government begins a review into the existing law on mobile phone use when driving, in order to close loopholes which some motorists have used to escape prosecution, such as filming using a mobile device is not a communications activity and so escapes the current legislation.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “The research clearly shows that actions of other drivers which annoy us the most are those which put people’s safety at risk on the road. There is no excuse for using a handheld mobile phone when driving, whether it’s for a call, texting or checking social media. It’s vital for road safety that we make using the phone when driving as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving. Until we have fully autonomous vehicles, anything which diverts a driver’s attention from the road is a risk to their safety and those of the road users around them.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_