Driving and using your phone is a growing problem amongst drivers in the UK, especially young drivers. Often, force of habit and our constant thirst not to be miss a second of the digital social world can be fatal.
Although there are now much stronger and stricter laws in place for people caught using their phones, there are still alarming numbers of incidents reported every year. At the moment, if you are caught, you will land an immediate £200 fine with 6 points on your license. Not only that, but if you have recently passed in the last 2 years prior to being caught, you could loose your license altogether.
You might think that would be enough. However, Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative “Road Respect” have released an eye-opening campaign called ‘The Last Text Tour’. Making it’s way around the country, the campaign uses giant mobile devices displaying the last text messages drivers have sent to a friend or loved one before being killed in a road incident.
(Image Road Respect via Twitter)
“Don’t worry Mum, goodnight” and “thanks mate, I owe you a drink or two” are just some of the messages displayed that make a very tough read indeed.
Kayla was texting her mum about getting home whilst driving, this was the last text she ever sent.#LastText #NoLookNoTouchNoPhone pic.twitter.com/qfROOl5fZO
— roadrespect (@RoadRespect) July 12, 2018
A spokesman for Road Respect said: “The visual nature of the texts aims to draw people’s attention in, with the sobering message behind the phones really resonating with drivers and passengers alike, with the outcome being the encouraging of behavioural change behind the wheel.
“This is in the hope that drivers will see and recognise the risks associated with driving and using a mobile phone, before it’s too late.”
Statistically you are 9 times more likely to have an accident on the road whilst using your mobile.
So how can you prevent being distracted by your phone?
- If you are an IPhone user, there is a handy setting called ‘Do Not Disturb” – this will ensure all texts and calls whilst your phone is locked are silenced. You find this in your settings menu with a small blue ‘moon’ icon.
- If you are in any mid conversations on text or social media, simply inform the other party that you are about to get in your vehicle. This will help aid them sending any distracting messages or calls.
- If a call is an emergency, ensure you are using your hands free technology inside your vehicle, and that you don’t manually pick up your phone to accept the call.
