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Mobile phone use in company cars 'still a problem'

Published On 13 April 2007 at 08:40:00

The owners of Britain's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are ignoring the new rules about using mobile phones while driving, according to research.

Sky News reports that a study by Bibby Financial Services found that 22 per cent of SME owners admitted talking on their mobile while driving.

Recently, the government strengthened the laws relating to the use of mobile while driving - anyone caught now faces a £60 fine and three points on their licence.

However, the survey found that bosses living and working in London are far more likely to flout the new regulations, with 75 per cent admitting to either using their phone or eating while at the wheel.

"Despite the government's targets to cut unnecessary travel, curb carbon emissions and address environmental concerns, the UK is still clocking up a considerable amount of business mileage every year," David Robertson, the company's chief executive, told Sky News.

Mr Robertson added that SME owners had to be particularly diligent while driving because "there are an estimated three million company cars on the roads, of which roughly one in three will be involved in accident each year.

"Business drivers have collision rates that are 30 per cent to 40 per cent higher than those of private drivers."

 

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