Distracted Drivers targeted in awareness campaign

 The dangerous habits of distracted drivers are the focus of a five week awareness campaign as a part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.

Speaking with year eleven students at Coorparoo Secondary College, Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said he was determined to make Queensland's roads safer and curb dangerous distractions like mobile phone use while driving.  

"More than 70 percent of Queensland motorists admit to using or looking at their mobile phone while driving, this is not acceptable," he said.  “We need to educate our newest drivers that it’s not ok to use your phone and drive, just like it’s not ok to drink and drive.”    

A television ad will hit TV screens tonight after proving successful with online audiences and will run in conjunction with radio advertising, online and through social media over the next five weeks.  “Drivers distracted by their phones don’t just risk being caught and penalised, statistics show drivers who use their phone while driving are four times more likely to crash than those who don’t,” Mr Bailey said.     “Texting is especially dangerous—taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds when driving at 60km/h, means you travel blind for up to 33 metres.

“Your phone can’t distract you if it’s turned off.”   

Double demerits for motorists repeatedly caught texting or using their mobile phone while driving start tomorrow.  

“I hope the introduction of this tougher penalty and the public education campaign will convince Queenslanders it’s not worth the risk,” Mr Bailey said.   “When you get behind the wheel of a car, put your phone in the glovebox, put it in the boot of the car, or simply turn it off.”   

For more information about the introduction of double demerit points for repeat mobile phone offenders and for tips to break the deadly habit, visit www.jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/distractions.   

Media contact:  0406 544 142