One third of young Tasmanians admit to regularly using their phone and checking their text
message or emails while driving, according to new research by RACT Insurance.

RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said the research revealed the frequency of this risky
behaviour had more than doubled, up from 13 per cent of young drivers admitting to
regularly using their phone in the car in previous research, compared to 30 per cent in the
current research outcomes.

“To see such a significant increase of young drivers (aged 18-29 years) admitting to
regularly using their phone in their car is very worrying,” Mr Sayers said.

“With younger generations growing up with mobile technology playing such an integral part
of their lives, it appears this behaviour is becoming more socially acceptable.

“Twenty nine per cent of young drivers also admitted to regularly checking text messages or
emails on their phone while driving, compared with just three per cent of drivers over the age
of 60.
“Driving can be dangerous even when you are paying full attention to the road conditions, so
to attempt to make a call without hands-free, send a text or check emails when you’re in
control of a moving vehicle is incredibly risky behaviour.

“Of equal concern are the figures which show 29 per cent of young drivers admit to regularly
driving over the speed limit, which compares to nine per cent of drivers aged 40-49 and only
six per cent of drivers aged over 60 years.

“Our research also shows that 17 per cent of young drivers are easily distracted by items in
the car including the radio, GPS or their phone.”

Mr Sayers said while only six per cent of the Tasmanian population is aged between 17 –
25, this age bracket was represented in 28 per cent of serious road crash casualties.

“This younger age group has six times more chance of being a serious road crash casualty,
being seriously injured or killed, compared to the rest of the state’s population,” Mr Sayers
said.

“Road Safety Advisory Council figures show driver distraction and inattention contributed to
the deaths of 223 people and 1289 serious injuries on Tasmanian roads in the 10 years to
31 December 2013.

“Anyone who is distracted when driving is at a greater risk of having a serious crash and of
course the faster you are going, the greater the risk becomes.”

In Tasmania, if you are caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving you will be
fined $300 and lose three demerit points.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers