Drivers selfie-destruct

Drivers admit they take photos while behind the wheel.

Young motorists are putting lives at risk by taking 'selfie' photographs or videos with their mobile phones while driving.

A new national survey shows 14 per cent of drivers aged 18 to 24 admit they have taken a selfie and uploaded it on to social media while driving.

But police say they are unable to collate statistics on how many times mobile phones contribute to fatal or other serious accidents.

Safety messages about the dangers of fatigue, distraction and speeding were not getting through

The police admission has prompted calls for such information to be collated and made public to reinforce the message that drivers distracted by a mobile phone risk killing themselves and other road users.

The national survey of almost 1000 young adults by insurer AAMI also found 17 per cent of South Australian respondents said they couldn't resist answering their mobile or reading a text when driving.

And the young drivers are aware of the risks they are taking - 14 per cent admitted they had a 'near miss' in the past year while using their phone or tablet.

Motor Accident Commission general manger of road safety Michael Cornish said it was "frustrating" that young drivers admitted using phones or tablets behind the wheel.

"If they cause a crash on the roads they might not only harm themselves, but other road users, and the consequences of that can carry through the rest of their lives," he said.

AAMI spokesman Reuben Aitchison said a disturbing trend was "emerging among young drivers and shows that talking and texting are only part of the problem posed by smartphones nowadays, and it needs to stop".

He said the survey showed some "terrifying behaviours" among young drivers and that safety messages about the dangers of fatigue, distraction and speeding were not getting through. Social analyst David Chalke said today's young drivers were behaving like previous generations.

Mobile phone use while driving or riding is dangerous

"When I was 18 I was self absorbed, thought I was indestructible and a far better driver than all the oldies," he said. "So this survey is showing typical young adult behaviour with new technology." He said many people's attitudes to mobile phone use while driving were ingrained.

"People find it impossible to not answer the phone even while driving," he said.

Family First MP Robert Brokenshire asked police to provide information on how many serious injury and fatal crashes in recent years were caused by the illegal use of a mobile phone but was told the police "does not collate or maintain" such data.

Mr Brokenshire said he was "surprised" police don't have this information.

"I believe police should keep these figures and the Government should use them in road safety campaigns to show the real dangers of using a mobile phone while driving." The RAA agreed that drivers would take the message about the dangers of using a mobile phone "more seriously" if they knew how often such behaviour contributed to injury and death on the road.

"Even now some people don't appreciate how much of a danger it can be," RAA road safety manager Charles Mountain said.

Officer in Charge of the Traffic Support Branch Superintendent Bob Fauser said police recorded when mobile phone use had contributed to a crash but the system for recording collisions "does not allow a search for mobile phone use as a contributing factor".

"Despite this lack of data, it is common sense supported by extensive research that mobile phone use while driving or riding is dangerous," Supt Fauser said.

Police have run several crackdowns on mobile phone use this year, issuing $368 on-the-spot fines to 1444 motorists in June and another 1470 the next month.

Acting Road Safety Minister Zoe Bettison declined to say if there was any benefit in revealing how many major accidents are caused by drivers using mobile phones.

However, she did say using mobile phones while driving "significantly increases the risk of an accident irrespective of age".

DICING WITH DEATH 
14% of SA drivers aged 18-24 in the past year admit to taking a 'selfie' or video while driving and uploading it to social media.
11% have been in a car when the driver has momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel.
30% admit to ignoring the speed limit when they knew there were no cameras around.
48% of young drivers admit to speeding to get to work or home sooner.
76% admit to being unsure what the speed limit is at times.
38% if tired when driving, were not likely to stop and have a power nap.
56% say three or more hours is the longest time they are willing to drive without taking a break.
14% admit to having a near miss in the past year while using their phone or tablet.
17% admit they can't wait to get to their destination if someone calls or texts - they have to read or answer immediately.
36% have experienced an accident in the past five years.
Source: AAMIYoung Driver Survey