How your accent could make you more likely to be fined for using your mobile phone while driving
Frustrated motorists are resorting to texting because Siri can't understand what they are saying - and it's bad news if you're from the North
THE type of accent you have could make it more likely you will be nabbed for using your mobile phone while driving.
A recent study has found that drivers attempting to use the handsfree software, Siri, could be choosing to pick up their phone because the technology doesn't know what they are saying.
Conducted by Imperial Cars, the study found that a whopping 41 per cent of drivers will resort to texting while driving simply because Siri can't understand their accent.
Frustrated motorists are breaking the law by touching their phone as the mobile personal assistant is translating what they are saying into bizarre text messages.
Northern accents created the most trouble for the technology, producing nonsense messages for drivers from Yorkshire and Newcastle.
It also struggled to create the correct messages for those from Glasgow and Wales.
Using hands-free software while driving is technically legal - as long as you don't touch your phone in any way.
But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still be stopped and penalised for careless driving.
And according to research, driving and using a mobile handsfree is just as dangerous as a hand-held phone, despite it still being legal.
Neil Smith, Operations Director from Imperial Cars said: “Since the introduction of the new mobile phone laws last year, it seems many drivers, especially those that are less experienced, are still willing to take risks behind the wheel and many have lost their licence as a result.
The road laws you need to know
“Breaking the habit of touching your phone whilst in the driver’s seat can be challenging, especially with the technological advancements that come as standard on most mobile phones, but the risks you impose on both yourself and others when distracted behind the wheel are really not worth it.
"Unfortunately, the number of drivers still opting to ignore the law is scarily high."
Earlier this year, we revealed when it is actually legal to use your phone in the car.