If you're planning an Easter getaway, don't be tempted to reach for your phone while driving.
That's the new warning that's been issued by road safety campaigners as the Easter holiday period looms into view.
Motoring experts at the RAC reckon more than 21 million journeys are made by UK drivers over the Bank Holiday weekend, an event which falls between April 7-10 this year.
And if you're one of the many who'll be hitting the roads to visit family and friends, or to entertain the kids, you need to make sure you're distracted by your devices.
So says road safety group GEM Motoring Assist, who says anyone caught using their gadget faces an instant £200 fine and six penalty points.
You can still be prosecuted even if you're using a hands-free device - should you become distracted when dialling, talking or voice texting during journeys.
Government figures for 2021 (the latest available) show that 1.0% of drivers were observed using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. The worst group of offenders were van drivers (1.9%) compared with car drivers (0.8%). Males aged 17 to 29 were the most likely to be observed using a mobile phone.
GEM chief executive Neil Worth said:
"By ensuring you don’t take part in a conversation or try to read and respond to data on your phone, you’re reducing the risk you face and the risk you pose to others. You can focus on the journey, the road ahead and the hazards that may be developing. What’s more, it just takes a bit of planning to ensure you build in time to break your journeys and check voicemails, texts and emails.”
GEM has a number of simple tips regarding mobile phones and driving:
- You’re allowed to use a mobile phone when you are safely parked, with the engine off and the handbrake on.
- Please do not pick up your phone in any other driving situation, including when you’re stationary at traffic lights or queueing in traffic.
- The only exception to this is if it’s an emergency and it would be unsafe or impractical to stop, in which case you may call 999.
- Don’t assume that using a hands-free kit means you have dealt with the risk. You are still allowing yourself to be distracted from the task of safe driving, and you could still be prosecuted for not being in control (an offence that carries a £100 fine and three penalty points).
- Take a few minutes before a journey to make important calls or to check voice messages and emails. Work together with friends, family, colleagues and work contacts to remove the expectation that we should all be available, all the time.
- Plan journeys to build in breaks from driving, where you can call, text or email or interact with social media in a safe environment.
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