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In addition, the THINK! TV advert is returning to screens to remind
callers to 'kill the conversation' as soon as they realise that
someone is driving.
Clair George, road safety officer for the
SaferPeterborough partnership, said: "Recent research has revealed 93
per cent of motorists agree texting while driving is dangerous - and
12 per cent of all motorists admit to texting while driving. A
conversation on a hands-free phone is no less distracting than using a
hand-held mobile. You can still be prosecuted for using a hands free
phone or similar device if you are distracted and not in proper
control of the vehicle."
Three penalty points and a £60
fine will be issued for using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.
If a case goes to court motorists can expect a maximum fine of £1,000
or £2,500 if driving a bus, coach or heavy goods vehicle.
The
campaign also highlights how callers play an important role and should
hang up if the person they are calling is driving.
- During 2008, 1,092 people were injured on
Peterborough roads of which 71 per cent were in
vehicles.
- The only exceptions to using a hand held mobile
whilst driving is when a driver has to call 999 or 112 in response
to a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop to
make a call.
- Two-way radios are not covered by this offence
but other devices for sending or receiving data are included if
they are held while driving (e.g. personal digital assistants).
- The best advice is to switch off before you
drive off.
- Motorists should use voicemail, a message
service or call diversion so they can pick up messages later.
- Drivers should only use their phone after they
have stopped in a safe place. They should never stop on the hard
shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
- Avoid taking calls even on a hands-free phone
while driving. They can be just as distracting. If they must
answer, motorists should say they are driving and end the
conversation. Otherwise they will put themselves and other road
users at risk.
- Employers can be prosecuted if they require
employees to make or receive calls while driving.
- Try the driving challenge at
www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge or
for further information about the campaign visit
www.dft.gov.uk/think
December 2008 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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