Our Nomophobic Youth - Mobiles, the New Drink Driving

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, June 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) Young drivers are heeding the safety messages around speeding and driving under the influence, but are putting other drivers at risk by fiddling with their phones while behind the wheel, according to new research from leading auto insurer AAMI.

The 11th AAMI Young Drivers Index revealed that young drivers performed better in almost all of the 'traditional' risky driving behaviour indicators, but they are the most likely to be distracted by their mobile phone, GPS unit, iPod, radio or CD player.

AAMI spokesperson, Reuben Aitchison, said that that 'Nomophoboia' - a fear of being out of reach of your mobile - seems to have set in, with over half (58%)* of young drivers admitting to sending or reading a text message or MMS while driving.

"The average text takes around five seconds to read. If you are going 100km/hr, you'll hurtle along the length of a footy field with your eyes off the road, only one hand on the wheel and your mind elsewhere.

"It's an excellent sign that young drivers are less likely to drink drive and speed, but on the flipside it is shocking to think of relatively inexperienced drivers tearing down the road, not paying attention to what's going on around them," Mr Aitchison said.

"Many of these drivers will be only a few years off their L-Plates and think they're invincible. They just don't have the experience to know how quickly things can go wrong on the road and understand that shifting their concentration for even a few seconds may just be their undoing.

"The road toll is definitely heading in the right direction, especially when it comes to young drivers, but people aged under 25 are still well over represented in the figures.

"We urge all drivers, regardless of their age, to have a serious think whether their phone conversation or SMS is really worth the fines or demerit points they face, losing their license, or causing serious injury, or worse, to themselves, their passengers or other road users."

The risky behaviour young drivers traditionally display has marginally improved
- The number of 18 to 24 year old drivers that say they have driven while probably over the drink-drive limit has fallen by 5%, from 20%^ in 2010 to 15%* in 2011
- The number of drivers aged 18 to 24 who believe using a little recreational drugs doesn't really affect your driving performance has halved, from 12%^ in 2010 to 6%* in 2011.
- Nearly half (48%) ^ of young drivers admitted to speeding to get home or to work sooner in 2010, falling to 43%* in 2011.
But technology could be the new alcohol for drivers aged 18 to 24
- Nearly half (46%)* say they have used their mobile to make a call without a hands-free set, the highest of any age group
- 58%* of young drivers, the most of any age group have sent a text message or MMS while driving
- A fifth (20%)* of drivers aged 18 to 24 have used their mobile to read emails or check the internet while driving.
- Almost a third (32%)* admit to inputting information on a sat-nav while driving, the highest of any age group
- Nearly half (47%)* of young drivers say they have lost concentration while changing music whilst behind the wheel

For more information or to arrange an interview or grabs, please contact:
David Skapinker
Corporate Affairs , AAMI
0467 801 922
David.Skapinker@suncorp.com.au

Belinda Humphries
Corporate Affairs, AAMI
0467 745 995
Belinda.Humphries@suncorp.com.au

About the Indexes
*Newspoll Market & Social Research conducted an independent Internet survey of 3,740 Australians, 18 years of age and older who are current drivers, across all states and territories in 2011. Collected data has been weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age sex and area.
^IPSOS Research conducted an independent Internet survey of 2,818 Australians of driving age in all states and territories in 2010. Collected data is carefully weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age, gender and population on a regional, state and national basis.

At AAMI, we know that you want to be sure your car is properly protected by the insurance policy you purchase. AAMI is a leading provider of comprehensive car insurance with benefits such as lifetime repair guarantee; lifetime rating one and valet service. Insurance issued by Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd (AAMI). Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement at www.aami.com.au or call 13 22 44.