Series of road safety studies planned by RoSPA in the Gulf

20 February 2007; Dubai, UAE: Research carried out in Dubai has demonstrated that using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of having an accident. The 'MotoSafe' Study, sponsored by Globalnet, authorised UAE distributor for Motorola phones and accessories, Emirates Driving Institute (EDI), and Liberty Automobiles proves that increased danger exists when the phone is hand-held rather than hands-free.

The research was carried out under the supervision of the UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) a charity under the patronage of HM Queen Elizabeth, at EDI. The location was at the purpose built training facilities of Emirates Driving Institute, in Al Qusais. This is RoSPA's first road safety research undertaken in the Gulf region and the Association plans to initiate more such studies over the coming months.

Among those who took part in the study was rally champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE, who said: "Driving in the UAE is dangerous enough due to the high speed roads without the added risk of talking on the phone at the same time."

Psychologists have established that drivers under stress are more likely to have an accident and that stress levels increase during phone conversations. Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Dr Raymond H Hamden of the Human Relations Institute at Dubai's Knowledge Village said: "Previous research in other countries has shown that driving while using a mobile phone is at least as dangerous as driving while you are over the legal alcohol limit. Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in accidents."

Other RoSPA studies have revealed that the majority of calls taken by drivers on a mobile are "intense, complex, business-related and distracting". RoSPA UAE Representative Andrea Akehurst said: "I would like the drivers of UAE to take greater care when driving and to concentrate on just one task, and that is to drive to the best of their ability and avoid talking on the phone."

In the UAE, it is a punishable offence to physically hold the mobile phone to your ear to talk whilst driving and the Police strongly advocate the use of hands free devices if people need to talk while driving.

"As a responsible corporate entity we are pleased to do our bit in helping to make the UAE's roads safer," said David Townshend, Chief Operating Officer of Globalnet. "For those who feel they need to be always contactable and technologically advanced, Motorola has a vast range of hands free accessories that are affordable and readily available in the market. However for one's own safety, and for that of fellow motorists, we recommend using voicemail or call forwarding while driving."

Amer Ahmed Belhasa, Managing Director of Emirates Driving Institute said: "Studies such as these are an excellent way of driving home the message that it is the responsibility of all citizens to help make our roads accident free."

Recently EDI also sponsored a seat belt convincer at major shopping malls in the UAE. The convincer tangibly demonstrates to motorists the physical impact of being involved in a car crash, even at relatively slow speeds, and persuades the participant of the value of 'belting up'.  Similarly, it is hoped that from this research drivers will be convinced of the dangers of using a cell phone when driving and to use alternative methods such as voicemail and call forwarding.

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Issued by Matrix Public Relations on behalf of UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Emirates Driving Institute and Globalnet, authorised distributor for Motorola phones and accessories in the UAE. For further information, please contact Jack Pearce on Dubai telephone 04 - 3430888 or email Reshma Tahiliani on Reshma.t@matrixdubai.com

© Press Release 2007