Book Theory Test Today explores the trend of selfies behind the wheel that has caused outrage among road safety campaigners.
‘Selfie’ – Defined as taking a photo of one’s self before uploading it onto a social media site. It’s a social networking phenomenon and the term has been endorsed by the Oxford Dictionary, which voted ‘selfie’ word of the year.
Our View On Selfies Behind The Wheel:
“In a safe environment, selfies behind the wheel are harmless fun. However, a shocking new study has found that the selfie craze is now being conducted by drivers while driving. Did you know? Since Instagram was launched in 2010, 10,000 selfies of people, taken behind the wheel of a vehicle, have been uploaded on the site.â€
The study, carried out by insurance pros Confused.com, revealed that 7% of motorists admit to having taken ‘selfies behind the wheel’ while driving. Photos uploaded to Instagram only serve to endorse their antics, with common hashtags used such as:
- #DrivingSelfie
- #DrivingSelfies
- #LuckyWeDidntCrash
- #safedriver
- #LookMaNoHands
The trend has caused fury among road safety campaigners. In a statement from a spokesperson for road safety charity Brake, they said:
“It is very worrying to see the number of drivers engaging in this dangerous behaviour of selfies behind the wheel, particularly younger drivers who are already at higher risk of crashing due to their age and inexperience.â€
Book Theory Test Today says:
“The evolution of social media and smartphones means there is now a whole category missing from the theory test, enforcing laws concerning mobile phone use once people are driving is ok. But, what’s really needed is education and this needs to begin during theory test preparation and needs to be included as part of the theory test question catalogue.â€
The survey conducted by gocompare.com received 2,000 responses from motorists, with over a third confessing to mobile phone use when driving. Of the 2,000 respondents, 9% admitted to being involved in an accident as result.
However, despite drivers being involved in accidents, less than one in ten say they have never been caught by police for using a mobile phone when driving. Furthermore, over 50% of drivers caught by the police said they would continue to use their phone anyway.
Book Theory Test Today says:
“Unfortunately, the ‘selfies behind the wheel’ trend is mostly associated with young drivers. The underlying problem is that there’s simply a lack of education. Mobile phone usage is sparsely covered in theory test resources and the theory test itself. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed.â€
Many road safety campaigners have called for a complete ban of mobile phone use in vehicles, (let alone the issue of selfies behind the wheel) referring to both handheld and hands-free devices. The study into ‘selfies’ behind the wheel will only strengthen the resolve of campaigners.
Book Theory Test Today says:
“Campaigners are outraged because the statistics regarding young driver injuries and deaths speak for themselves. Too many young drivers drive with the misconception that taking selfies behind the wheel and using a mobile phone to take pictures while driving is ok; they think they won’t be involved in an accident. Try telling that to the parents of children killed in such incidents, they know the heartache all too well. When will the message hit home?â€
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Tags: Car Safety Advice
