Mobile phone use by drivers, 2000-03

The ownership and use of mobile phones grew rapidly in the United Kingdom from the early 1990s, until 73% of adults owned or used a mobile telephone by 2003. Many owners were willing to use their phones whilst driving, in spite of growing concerns about the implications for road safety. This Report presents results from two sets of surveys that have been carried out by TRL on behalf of the Department for Transport and produce complementary evidence about drivers' use of mobile phones. The Seat Belt Survey has been carried out regularly for many years, observing seat belt use in stationary traffic mainly at junctions controlled by traffic signals. In October 2000 the survey was expanded to observe the use of mobile phones. Seven surveys were carried out between October 2000 and October 2003 in extensive study areas centred on Crowthorne and Nottingham, and a further six surveys were carried out in additional areas of England. The Mobile Phone Survey uses an electronic detector to warn a human observer that a mobile phone is being used in the vicinity. This allows drivers' use of mobile phones to be observed in freely flowing traffic. Following preliminary trials, full scale surveys were carried out in October 2002 and September 2003 in an extensive study area in the South East of England. (A)