Published: 05 February 2008
THINK and switch off that Phone
A new campaign to highlight the dangers of using a mobile phone when driving has been launched by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
The £1.5m campaign, featuring a new radio advert as well as the television advert launched last year, will remind drivers to switch off before getting behind the wheel. It is timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the introduction of tougher penalties for using a mobile phone when driving.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Talking on a mobile phone when driving is distracting and affects your ability to react to dangerous situations, making you four times more likely to have a crash.
That is why we increased the penalty for illegally using a mobile when driving to three penalty points and a £60 fine.
Our latest research shows the message is getting through to drivers but some people are still needlessly risking their own lives and putting others in danger for the sake of a phone call.
I urge all drivers to switch off or go to voicemail before they drive off."
Recent research showed a 40% reduction in the number of car drivers seen using hand-held mobiles at the wheel between September 2006 and August 2007. Just 1% of car drivers were observed using a hand-held mobile while driving, compared with 1.7% in 2006.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving was made illegal in December 2003 and Section 26 of the Road Safety Act 2006 increased the fixed penalty for drivers using a hand held phone or similar device from 27 February 2007. The penalty rose from £30 to £60 and three penalty points.
The same changes were made to the penalties for not having proper control of a vehicle - a measure which can be used where a driver has been distracted by using a hands-free mobile phone.
If the police or the driver chooses to take a case to court rather than use a fixed penalty notice, the penalty is 3 points, discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches).
Further information
THINK! – Mobile Phones
BBC News: Text death driver gets four years
Related article: Guidelines for Driving Offences Sentencers
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