More than 2,000 people were caught on their mobile phones while driving during the past financial year, despite ACT police warnings.
Officer-in-Charge of Traffic Operations, Sergeant Mark Steel said that drivers more than double the risk of being involved in a road collision while using a mobile phone.
“The use of mobile phones while driving continues to be the primary cause of driver distraction with 2,026 drivers receiving Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) during the last financial year,” Sergeant Steel said.
“There is a reason why it’s called driver distraction. Talking and texting while driving takes you away from what you are supposed to be doing — paying attention on the road and driving.”
“Some drivers continue to risk their lives and the lives of others by using their mobile phone when they drive. No phone call is that important to take while you are driving.”
“Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the roads around you.”
Drivers caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving will be fined $337 and lose three demerit points.
ACT Policing is currently targeting driver distraction throughout the month of August as part of its multi-agency road safety strategy.
The strategy targets specific issues and behaviours which contribute to death and serious injuries on Canberra’s roads, with driver distraction among those concerns.
[Courtesy of ACT Policing]
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