Largest Mobile Phone Retailer Provides Insight Into Who's Breaching New Driving Law

LONDON, November 30 --

- Drivers in the West Snap up Most Handsfree Kits - But Only so They Can Talk More!

- 25% Off All Car Accessories in Bid to Encourage Safer Driving

Northern motorists are refusing to hang up on the roads and have bought less in-car kits than any other region, according to The Carphone Warehouse. Customers in the North of the UK have bought less in car kits than anywhere else, although the London area has not done much better with marginally higher demand than the North. Top of the in car kit charts, and suggesting they must be the most law abiding - are drivers from the West who are a clear 10% higher than the North, with the Midland and the East in between the two extremes.

The insights come after the leading mobile phone retailer analysed regional sales data from across its 600 UK stores for the one year after the ban of handheld mobile phones whilst driving was introduced on December 1st 2003. The company is currently offering 25% off all in car solutions in a bid for safer driving as we approach the year anniversary of the law on December 1st.

The company also quizzed Britain's drivers about their reasons for buying in-car kits and found for many it was simply because they want to talk more easily at the wheel - not because they are afraid of being pulled up by the police. A survey held at the company's 60 installation centres around the UK revealed that the top three reasons for buying a hand free kit were:

    
    1) More convenient to talk - 67%
    2) Required for work - 20%
    3) Feel pressure by the law - 13%

The Carphone Warehouse is releasing the figures to encourage any drivers still defying the ban, to get kitted out with an in-car solution - especially after the Government recently announced a crackdown, which will mean offenders now face a GBP60 fine and three points on their licences. The company welcomes the step up in enforcement and penalty fines.

"As the largest mobile communications retailer in the UK we're able to provide the real customer picture and it's really interesting to note the differing perceptions to the legislation across the UK. Our figures provide a true insight into the way mobile phone users are responding to the law," said Andrew Harrison, CEO for The Carphone Warehouse.

"We applaud those drivers in the West who've taken steps to go handsfree, but would urge our customers in the North and South of the country to follow suit. There are even stronger penalties in place now and it's time that all motorists adopted safer, handsfree driving."

The findings come after a recent Government study revealed that the number of motorists who drive while using a hand-held mobile phone has dropped by just 25% since the national ban came into effect last year.

The Carphone Warehouse has recently launched a guide to help customers choose the right in-car kit and now has over 60 dedicated car kit installation centres across the UK. The company introduced a 'hang up or go hands free' campaign across its 600 UK stores back in November 2003 and sells a variety of different kits at every price range from plug and play options to high-tech Bluetooth headsets and fully installed car kits. The company also offers an installation service that will come to your home and office, so there's no excuse not to go handsfree.

For more details: www.carphonewarehouse.com or The Carphone Warehouse Direct Sales: 0800-925-925, Installation Line: 0870-087-6626