Car insurance customers told to switch off mobiles

Wed, 11 Feb 2009

Car insurance customers must resist the temptation to use their mobile phone behind the wheel, one expert has warned.

Ita McErlean, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Northern Ireland, explained that using a mobile while driving increases the chances of a crash and subsequent car insurance claim .

"This is because of the distraction of the telephone conversation, which can cause drivers to tailgate, weave about on the road and vary their speed," she said.

Although the use of hand-held mobiles is outlawed, using a hands-free device could also lead car insurance customers to drive in an erratic manner, Ms McErlean warned.

She advised people to make sure they switch off their phone when they get behind the wheel "and let voicemail do its job".

Driving while using a mobile phone was banned in 2003 and those caught can have points put on their licence, something which might push up the cost of an offender's car insurance even if they do not crash.
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