Using your phone behind the wheel became illegal all the way back in 2003 - but as Instagram stories and TikTok become more popular, some people need a reminder that you shouldn't be playing with your phone while driving. And it turns out some celebrities need the memo too, as TOWIE and Celebs Go Dating's Lauren Goodger has been slammed for using her phone to film an Instagram story while driving (again).
On Monday, the reality star posted a short clip to her story where she managed to drive, listen to music, pout at the camera, play with her hair and use a filter which left the word 'cute' written all over her face. Which would be impressive multi-tasking - if it wasn't so bloody dangerous. Not just for her, but everyone else on the road.
'When you’re driving a single moment’s inattention can lead to catastrophe,' Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at road safety charity Brake, told Grazia. 'Using a phone behind the wheel is illegal, selfish and dangerously distracting behaviour which can impair as much as drink-driving.' (Grazia has contacted Lauren's representative for comment.)
In case anybody needs a reminder: using a mobile phone while driving - unless it is completely hands free - is against the law in the UK. And since 2017, offenders can be punished by six penalty points and a £200 fine. But research from the Department of Transport earlier this year shows that as many as 445,000 people are still using mobile phones while driving. (In 2015, figures show that 33 people were killed where a motorist on a mobile was a contributory factor.)
The star, who has over 750k followers on Instagram, also didn't appear to be wearing a seatbelt either - and statistics provided by Brake show that almost a third (31%) of the people who died in vehicles in Great Britain in 2018 were not wearing a seatbelt - and that wearing one halves your chance of dying if you're in a crash. And if you're caught, not wearing a seatbelt also carries a fine of up to £500.
Is a 'cute' Instagram story really worth it?
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