Be Phone Smart campaign welcomes new Do Not Disturb While Driving feature for iOS

Pete Williams, spokesman for the RAC’s Be Phone Smart campaign, said: “These days it is less phone calls and more the pings and buzzes of texts and social media apps that have the potential to distract a driver from the task at hand.

“So we’re pleased that at last millions of drivers that use an Apple iPhone are about to be able to put an end to intrusive notifications while they’re behind the wheel.

“Apple took out a series of patents more than three years ago designed to address the issue of driver safety, so while this new feature has been rather a long time coming it’s a positive step that the majority of drivers with an iOS device will be able to benefit from it by the autumn.

“As well as downloading the free update when it’s available, we encourage motorists to make a personal pledge to not use their handheld phone while driving – it takes just moments and every driver that does so sends a powerful message to others that illegal phone use and driving a moving vehicle do not mix.”