MEP Jim Higgins has questioned the European Transport Commissioner in the European Parliament in Strasbourg over the Commission's inaction in combating texting while driving.
A driver is 23 times more likely to be in an accident if texting. Texting while driving is deemed to be responsible for thousands of road deaths annually.
“While the European Commission recognises the need to increase road safety and ensure proper enforcement of road safety rules no EU-wide legislation exists which bans the practice of texting, emailing, and web browsing while driving,” said Mr Higgins.
Studies show that when you text and drive you lose approximately half of your peripheral vision - “that could be a stop sign, a cyclist, a pedestrian or another car - you are blinded by your inattention,” Mr Higgins added.
“Given that anti-messaging technology already exists to prevent the practice of texting while driving I intend to demand that the Commissioner for Transport introduce EU-wide legislation in order to eliminate this extremely dangerous practice.”
