Tesco Mobile has today announced the results of a survey carried out on 1,000 Tesco customers to reveal the true understanding and acceptance of the new laws that ban the use of hand held mobile phones while driving. The survey shows that 94% of people do not fully understand the ban and were not aware that they could receive a fine of £30 if caught by police while using a mobile phone in the car.
The new regulation is due to come into force today [1st December 2003]. However, research has revealed:
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A third of respondents who were aware of the new laws, believed that the regulation would come into force at the beginning of 2004;
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89% of people surveyed thought they could use a hands-free kit legally but did not know the handset had to be in a cradle and could not be held; and
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Many mobile phones users thought car passengers were included in the law and that mobile phones could still be used in some way when the car is stationary i.e. in a traffic jam.
Tesco has developed a poster campaign in stores to help their customers understand the new law. There will also be a direct mail campaign early next year to help raise awareness and encourage safety and simple information will be available on the Tesco Mobile web-site later this week.
Andy Dewhurst, CEO of Tesco Mobile, said: "The Tesco Mobile survey shows that many phone users are confused about the new law and don’t know how to use their mobile phone safely. One of our key aims is to provide simple and jargon-free mobile advice for our customers and that is exactly what we are doing."
Other highlights from the survey include:
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Over half (58%) of those surveyed felt that women were the most likely to use a mobile phone in the car for conversation;
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1 in 10 male respondents revealed that they would like conversations in cars banned altogether so that they could have peace and quiet;
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89% of people polled view the ban as a positive step towards safer roads;
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A quarter of those interviewed currently used their mobile phones while driving to talk and text; and
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When the new law was explained to customers, almost all said they intended to comply and would either purchase hands-free equipment or stop using a mobile phone in the car altogether.
About Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile is a new 50:50 joint venture between Tesco and O2. The new company sells exclusively Tesco Mobile branded services in Tesco stores across the UK using O2’s technology and network. The JV is expected to grow towards two million customers. The new service gives Tesco Mobile customers value, simplicity and choice, offering them supermarket style offers and the chance to earn Clubcard points when buying handsets and call time.
Notes to editors:
1,000 Tesco shoppers were surveyed.
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Tesco Mobile is the latest in a series of moves by Tesco into the telecoms market, and follows from the launch of Tesco Talk (Tesco’s landline service) and a bespoke directory enquiries service.
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Tesco Mobile is offering customers handsets from Nokia, Siemens, Samsung, Motorola and Sendo.
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Tesco is market leader in e-top up (Taylor Nelson information).
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Telecoms is the third retail service offered by Tesco building on the success of Tesco Personal Finance and Tesco.com
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