No phone call or text message is worth risking your life, road safety authorities warned today.
Road Safety Advisory Council Chair Jim Cox said: “Every time you use your phone when driving you are putting yourself and others at risk. The human brain cannot effectively drive and use a mobile phone.”
“Every second your eyes are off the road you are moving. You will travel 33 metres if you’re going 110km/h which is two-thirds of the length of an Olympic swimming pool.
“You wouldn’t drive wearing a blindfold but that’s what you’re doing when you’re using your phone while driving.”
Acting Police Commander Doug Rossiter said talking on a hand-held mobile or texting while driving was against the law.
“Inattention while driving is a major crash factor,” he said. “Using a mobile phone while driving is still a big temptation to many people.”
Today’s Road Safety Week focus is on inattentive driving and Police throughout the State will be paying attention to it, Acting Commander Rossiter said.
Take the test that proves driving and using a mobile, even hands-free, cannot be done http://think.direct.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/