BRITISH racing legend Jenson Button has blasted the state of driving in the UK – and revealed he was recently involved in a smash that caused almost £25,000 damage to his car.
Button, who won the 2009 F1 title with Brawn GP, believes people using mobiles while at the wheel has seen us take “a massive step back” in road safety.
Button has now traded in most of his extravagant sports carsCredit: Getty – Contributor
The 40-year-old said anyone involved in an incident while on their phones should be hit with big fines and lose their licence.
Speaking to JOE, he said: “Over the past 10 years there’s been a lot of talk about road safety, which is great.
“But that’s gone out of the window a little bit because there’s been a massive step back in road driving. The reason for it is phones and [people] being on [their] phones.
“Even the best driver in the world, if looking at their phone, don’t know what’s in front of them.
“Phones are the biggest issue. That’s the big killer, I would say. One glance you your phone you’ve travelled a long way at 70mph.
“Or at 30mph in a car, a kid or dog could have run out in front of the car. Focus. Understand your surroundings. It’s so important.”
You might be 30 seconds quicker to work but you’ll be 10 times more stressed
Button On Road Rage
Button, who failed his first driving test, added: “There should be bigger fines [for using phones while driving], and if you have an incident while on your phone you should lose your license.”
Dad-of-one Button, who used to own a number of supercars, admitted he had sold most of them “because the baby seat doesn’t fit”.
And despite being one of the best racing drivers of his generation, he admitted he was far from quick when on the road – especially now he’s a father.
Discussing the importance of speed limits, he said: “I love the [German] Autobahns but they have some horrific accidents, so a speed limit is good and important.
“There’s so much movement on roads, we should have to calm down. You might be 30 seconds quicker to work but you’ll be 10 times more stressed.
“Where I live is a 25mph speed limit, which feels fast for the road I live on, so I drive below the speed limit. It’s amazing what changes when you have a kid!”
Button, who is originally from Somerset but now lives in Los Angeles, admitted he was recently the victim of some reckless driving when the victim of an accident that badly damaged his car.
Recalling the incident on the busy 405 Freeway in the city at the end of last year, he said: “In LA, where I live, it’s madness.
Button may still be a racing driver but his F1 days are now spent on media dutiesCredit: Splash News
“I had a crash the other day. It wasn’t my fault and the police said it wasn’t my fault.
“A car was driving along next to me and I get a wallop in my side.
“Someone [had come] onto the freeway in a supercar, floored it, lost control of the rear, hit this Audi next to me which pushed it into my car.
“It damaged the whole side of my car, [causing] $32,000 (£24,600) of damage. It was just before Christmas, why are you racing on the roads?”
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
