Road safety group must tackle drivers texting at the wheel - McInnes

11.01.00am GMT Wed 27th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has welcomed a police crack down on drivers who use their mobile phones at the wheel and has called for the Scottish Government's expert group on road safety to tackle the issue.

An RAC and Facebook study shows that although 45 per cent of drivers send text messages at the wheel, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are well below the average. Those most likely to text are the young and "technically savvy".

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"The Transport Minister and his expert group on road safety must take this continuing issue into account. This mix of driving and text messaging when combined with youth is proving lethal.

"Although drivers in Scottish cities are less likely to text at the wheel than those in English cities, I remain concerned at the high levels of drivers involved.

"We know that the majority of drivers involved in accidents on Scotland's roads are young and inexperienced. This study shows that it is young drivers that are flouting the law and continuing to use their hand held mobile phones at the wheel.

"I am pleased that police forces across Scotland will be cracking down on the irresponsible drivers who are continuing to use their mobile phones at the wheel."