Driver Distraction
MOBILE PHONES, TECHNOLOGY & DRIVING
MOBILE PHONES, TECHNOLOGY & DRIVING
| VICTORIA’S MOBILE PHONE RULES
| FULLY LICENSED CAR DRIVERS
Did you know that using a mobile phone while driving increases your risk of a crash four-fold, regardless of whether a hands-free kit is used?
And if you take your eyes off the road to read a text message while driving at 60 km/h for just two seconds, you’re travelling 33 metres blind?
Driving requires full concentration. Anything that takes your eyes, ears or mind off the road – whether it be your phone, your passengers or even your lunch – increases the chance of being involved in a crash. A short lapse of concentration can have lifelong consequences.
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. The major causes of distraction are mobile phones (all functions including texting, making or receiving calls, social media updates, taking photos, finding music, etc), other passengers, music and music devices, food and drink, and any visual distraction or activity outside the car.
Distracted driving slows down your reaction times and puts you in danger of failing to see hazards such as traffic lights, stop signs or other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
There are four types of driver distraction:
An activity can create multiple types of distraction – for example, using a handheld mobile phone while driving creates a manual, auditory and cognitive distraction. Even though your eyes are on the road, you have poor control over the car, and again, the consequence is delayed reaction time.
FREE DRIVER DISTRACTION “Don’t Drive Blind” Poster design (in A3/A4 PDF format) for any community and sporting groups to use.
MOBILE PHONES, TECHNOLOGY & DRIVING
| VICTORIA’S MOBILE PHONE RULES
| FULLY LICENSED CAR DRIVERS
Victoria Police has pleaded with motorists to take care on regional roads following a massive spike in lives lost on rural roads this year, but the Opposition has slammed the Victorian Government for the state of regional roads.
Two people were taken to hospital after a car struck a tree and rolled on Watt Rd just after midnight on Monday, February 13.
South-west drivers are being urged to take care on the roads after five serious collisions in nine days – including three fatalities.
A passenger in a car that crashed into a power pole at Beechworth thought he was going to die as the incident unfolded.
Three people including two children have been taken to hospital for observation following a two-vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon along High Street Golden Square near the intersection with Oak Street.