40% of Asian drivers had a near miss on the road—Ford study

 

More than 40 percent of parent drivers in Asia said they or someone whom they know had experienced a near miss while using mobile phone behind the wheel, a recent study by Ford Philippines showed.

"A quarter of young females said they have taken either a photo or a selfie while behind the steering wheel and more than half said they had eaten or drank," the carmaker said in an emailed statement.

"A recent Ford study of drivers in Asia found that 43 percent of parents ... admitted to having either had a near miss or knowing someone who has," it said.

In line with the study, Ford launched #ParkYourPhone—a safety awareness campaign encouraging drivers to park their cars when they need to use their phones.

"The worrying things is, despite the much-publicized dangers of using a phone while driving, mobile phone usage continues to be a leading cause of death and serious injury on roads in Asia Pacific," the carmaker said.

Ford also created a Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program, which includes hands-on classes on hazard recognition, vehicle handling, and speed and space management.

It discusses the risks posed by drinking and driving, driving after taking drugs, and taking selfies.

In the Philippines, the Anti-Distracted Driving Act was fully implemented on July 6, 2017, prohibiting motorists from making calls on their cellphones while driving. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News