- Using your Mobile when Driving affects your reaction times and your general awareness of other traffic.
- You are four times more likely to have a crash if you use a mobile phone when you are driving.
- It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, for example between your head and shoulder, when you’re driving
Mobile phones certainly have their benefits to a driver. You can:
- call for help when your car breaks down;
- tell the emergency services that there’s been a crash; or
- let someone know that you’re delayed.
However you shouldn’t use your mobile phone when you are driving, as it’s not safe and could be illegal.
Concentration
Using your mobile phone this way means that you are not concentrating fully on driving, so you’re putting yourself and the lives of other people in danger. Even if you’re a careful driver, you can easily get distracted by a phone call or text message and you could have a crash.
Remember, a car moving at 50 km per hour will travel 14 metres (around four car lengths) in just one second!
Remember 4 Penalty Points – Is it Worth It?
- It is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, for example between your head and shoulder, when you’re driving.
- You can only use your mobile when you’re driving if you are phoning 999 or 112, or it is another type of emergency.
- Never use a hands-free kit or ‘blue tooth’ system when you are driving. It will distract you and so it is not safe.
- Never take notes, look up a number or send text messages while you are driving.
- If you need to use your mobile, stop your car, keep your calls short and avoid emotional or stressful calls.
