GEM makes mobile phone appeal
ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging every driver to accept that using a mobile phone while at the wheel is not only illegal but far too risky.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says holding and using any device while in control of a car is a potentially lethal distraction. He appeals for all drivers to understand the unacceptable level of risk that goes with using a phone while at the wheel.
‘Being distracted while driving – whether by something inside the car, something outside the car, something inside your head or an action that’s not connected with the primary task of driving – is a major cause of crashes and road deaths,’ he says.
‘Using a hand-held phone while driving is a serious offence. But using any mobile device, even in hands-free mode, is a potentially lethal distraction, first of all because of the physical tasks – such as keying in characters on your phone or scrolling through information.
‘It’s also mentally distracting. You only have 100 per cent concentration, so if you allow yourself to take part in a conversation or try to read and respond to data on your phone, you’re seriously reducing your ability to focus on the journey, on the road ahead and on the hazards that may be developing.
‘ The good news is that every driver can take responsible steps to leave their phone alone and to minimise all other distractions on a journey.
‘You wouldn’t do it on your driving test, you wouldn’t do it with a police officer watching… so ask yourself is there anything that makes it any less risky or foolish just because the police aren’t there? The answer is no. It is irresponsible and puts not only your own safety at risk, but the safety of those who happen to be sharing the road space with you.
‘By never using your phone on journeys, you will not only be staying legal, you will also be giving yourself the very best chance to react early to hazards – a vital part of keeping yourself safe.’
The RSA says that even with a hands-free kit or ‘ blue tooth’ system you can be distracted when you use a mobile phone while you are driving. Here are some things you should do with your mobile phone (handheld and hands-free) if you are driving.
1. Turn off your mobile phone or put it on the ‘silent’ or ‘meeting’ option setting before starting your journey.
2. Use the voicemail on your mobile phone so people can leave messages for you while you’re travelling.
3. Stop regularly on your journey so you can check for messages and return any calls.
4. Make sure the place you stop is a legal and safe place to park. It is illegal to stop on a motorway unless it is an emergency.
Remember It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, for example between your head and shoulder, when you’re driving.
You can only use your mobile when you’re driving if you are phoning an emergency to 999 or 112.
Never take notes, look up a number or send text messages while you are driving.
If you need to use your mobile, stop your car, keep your calls short and avoid emotional or stressful calls.