19/05/2015 - Accidents four times more likely when you are on a mobile phone

Motorists must be more aware of the incredible danger of using their phone when driving and it is time this practice becomes a cultural taboo.

Brian O’Donnell, Donegal Road Safety Officer says “using mobile phones while driving creates a significant risk and this practice needs to stop”.

He added “you don’t have to look too far to see drivers using mobile phones while driving. Research of mobile phone use by Irish drivers, has revealed that a significant number of motorist are violating mobile phone road traffic regulations, with more and more drivers continuing to put their lives, and others, at risk by using their mobile phones while driving”.

Research has also shown that a significant number of truck and van drivers, mostly male, are using a mobile phone while driving. Despite recent legislation, this trend is common practice and a very troubling one.

A traffic collision caused by a driver using a mobile phone is unnecessary. The collisions caused by using a mobile phone while driving are similar to those caused by drink drivers in that they are completely avoidable.  Nobody has to use a mobile phone while driving and nobody has to drink and drive.

4,429 fixed penalty notices have been issued for using a mobile phone while driving during January and February this year and this is now the second highest penalty point offence in Ireland after speeding.  A total of 30,524 offences have been recorded for 2014.

Mr. O’Donnell added “we are asking drivers to realise how their phones take their attention away from driving and having your full attention is never more important than when you have the lives of other road users in your hands. It is just not worth the risk just to take a call or answer a text.  As more people use the roads, we want to ensure that everyone does so safely and with consideration for all road users”.

Even if you are using a hands-free phone you should avoid making or answering calls when driving.

All phone calls distract drivers' attention from the road.  Keep your eyes on the road and not on your phone.