Mobile Phone

Driving is a complex task, requiring drivers to use and coordinate a number of skills. Any lapse in concentration increases the risk of the vehicle being involved in a crash. Inattention is reported as a contributing factor for 33% of fatal crashes and 45% of serious injury crashes per year.

Driving while using a hand held mobile phone can cause both physical and mental distraction which impairs driving performance.

Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of crashing by at least four times. The most common types of crashes associated with mobile usage are ‘run-off-the-road’ crashes and ‘rear end’ crashes.

Using a mobile phone while driving can significantly impair a driver’s:

reaction time
visual search patterns
ability to maintain speed and position on the road
ability to judge safe gaps in the traffic
general awareness of other road users.

Using a mobile phone while driving can bring even greater danger to novice drivers as they may experience difficulty in balancing the many demands on their driving - from perceptual, mental and physical tasks. Research has found novice drivers who use a mobile phone spend less time looking at the road ahead. They are also more likely to wander over the road (across traffic lanes) and take longer to notice driving hazards.

A mobile phone can be important in an emergency. If you need to use your mobile phone to call for help, stop and park safely where you will not endanger other road users.

using hands-free mode including Bluetooth technology
loudspeaker operation
text messaging.

Safe driving tips for using a mobile phone

Never read or send text messages while driving
Use voicemail instead of answering your phone while driving
Pull over safely and park to make or receive a call
Plan breaks in your trip for phone calls
Tell your family and friends not to call when you know you’ll be driving
Never look up phone numbers while driving