Hampshire Constabulary is taking part in a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.
The force’s Joint Operations Unit on the Isle of Wight will be supporting the campaign, which runs until 27th February.
Research has shown using a mobile phone can impair your ability to drive more than if you were driving whilst over the drink-drive limit. It is 1 of the 4 factors, alongside drink and drug driving, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt, that can increase your chances of being seriously injured or even killed if involved in a road traffic collision.
Road Safety Sergeant David Hazlett, of Hampshire’s Roads Policing Unit, has said:
“Driving whilst using a mobile device is dangerous and one of the four main contributory causes of fatal collisions.
“Whilst many vehicles now allow drivers to pair their phones and devices, people should not view ‘hands free’ as being a safe alternative.
“Research has shown that you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision and be less likely to notice and react to hazards in time by the distraction that mobile devices cause.
“This includes using ‘hands free’ as your attention is divided between driving and the conversation you will be having so can impact on the quality of your driving. Is it worth answering that call or can it wait?
Article continues below this advertisement “Texting, checking emails, scrolling through music and other device functions also distracts the driver and prevents their full attention which is needed for safe driving.
“It’s important to say that the vast majority of drivers don’t break the law but work still needs to be done to change the public’s minds and make mobile phone use in vehicles as socially unacceptable as drink and drug driving.”
About time, I see it every day on my way to work
Perhaps it would be more appropriate if the campaign to raise awareness was aimed at the Government rather than the public, as until use of ‘hands-free’ devices when driving becomes illegal, people will continue to use them.
Hands free is no different to talking to passenger when driving
Why announce this? The Police would get more numpties if they just got on with it.
House burgled? Too busy – have a crime number.
Property vandalised? Too busy – have a crime number.
Doing something that is not even illegal – loads of resources.
With a clear message that the police are only interested in motoring offences no wonder people are getting robbed in broad daylight.
OK, so I’m deliberately ignoring the serious issue behind the campaign but it does seem these days that the police are only interested in soft targets and motorists in particular.
Would also be nice if they could stop the guy riding around upper road on small motorbike with LOUD exhaust and backfiring, plus driving like a maniac.. been going on for quite a long time now… AND THEN, how about stopping a few red light jumpers.. any intersection with lights… it will be worse soon..
and yet they say we don’t need a traffic unit.
Lets hope they catch the illegal scooters out and about.