‘70% of Dutch parents use smartphone while driving’

Almost 70% of all parents are using their smartphone while driving in the presence of their children, discovered Dutch traveller’s association, ANWB, after a survey among more than 5.000 pupils of primary schools.

Unacceptable

“These results are absolutely shocking”, says spokesman Markus van Tol. “Using a smartphone while driving is irresponsible but doing so in front of the children is unacceptable.” In Wallonia, (Belgium), the Agency for Road Safety earlier called this behaviour ‘stupid’.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, started the MONO campaign to show people to focus on just one thing at a time: traffic. Using a smartphone while driving or cycling is forbidden.

Doubling fines

The organization for safe traffic in the Netherlands, Veilig Verkeer Nederland, is also pleading for a more severe approach, by doubling the fines. “People getting caught for using their smartphone while driving in front of their children should get a 480 euro fine instead of the usual 240 euro fine”, says Rob Stomphorst. ”

According to ANWB, 21% of school children admit to use the smartphone now and then while riding their bike, following the ‘bad’ example of their parents. This number will hopefully decrease when this behaviour will be fined.

Traffic education

“It is clear that our traffic education should focus more at the dangers of distraction in traffic”, says van Tol. “Children should remind their parents of their responsibility.”

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