Distracted drivers at greater risk of road accidents

Hi-tech Christmas gifts such as iPods and in-car DVDs could be creating dangerous new distractions for drivers who should be paying attention to the road, Transport Minister John Mickel warned today.

"More than 26,000 motorists in Queensland were fined for using hand-held mobile phone while behind the wheel in the past 12 months - but mobile phones are no longer the only devices distracting drivers," Mr Mickel said.

"Mobile phones and MP3 players should either be placed in a cradle or stored to ensure they don't slide around the vehicle's interior, while GPS navigators also need to be placed in a position that does not obscure the driver's view of the road."

"Everyday activities such as talking to other people in the car, eating or drinking, changing a CD, as well as noisy passengers, can also distract drivers and increase the risk of a crash", Mr Mickel said.

Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving means a person is four times more likely to crash.

It is also illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving with the penalty in Queensland a $225 fine ($300 from 1 January) and three demerit points for a first offence.

Mr Mickel recommended that drivers should:

• Plan ahead and make calls before driving or during rest breaks on
• long trips.
• Use voicemail, a message service or call diversion to pick up
• messages later.
• Ask passengers to keep the noise down.
• Never look away from the road to talk to passengers in the rear
• seat.
• Set play lists or GPS travel routes before setting off, and pull
• over to reprogram.

29 December 2008

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