Using the phone behind the wheel, main distraction for Spanish drivers

The manual use of the mobile phone while driving is, within the actions that imply a distraction in driving, the most committed offense.

This is what the results of the latest surveillance campaign carried out between 16 and 22 September by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) show.

During those days, agents of the Civil Guard Traffic Group carried out 8,295 surveillance controls and monitored a total of 304,126 vehicles on conventional roads. In them, they imposed 6,840 fines on 6,708 drivers for carrying out actions that imply a distraction while driving.

Of those 6,840 tickets, almost 43% (2,930) were for manually using the mobile phone while driving.

The Spanish Traffic authorities emphasize that no one should use the telephone while at the wheel, since it is very dangerous, even equating it with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fastening a seat belt while driving, usually when seen by officers, is also a distraction that has resulted in a penalty for 412 drivers.

Other distractions, drugs

In addition, 327 drivers were penalized for the use of headphones connected to sound reproducing devices, other than mobile phones, which is also considered a distraction in driving and therefore prohibited.

Other actions most punished for involving a distraction in driving are reading (145), searching for objects (108), driving while eating (56), the manipulation of GPS devices, internet access screens, video or DVD players (51) or being distracted by other vehicle occupants (47).

In addition to monitoring distractions, these preventive controls have also made it possible to detect and punish 1,830 drivers who, in addition to having been reported for committing a distraction while driving, were driving with alcohol levels higher than permitted or tested positive for other drugs.