Call for ban on earbud driving
POLICE and fireys say they are fed up with drivers who won’t get out of their way, failing to heed their flashing lights.
They say a growing number of motorists are unaware of emergencies because they are wearing earphones and cannot hear their sirens.
In the latest incident, police say a speeding motorcyclist rode through a roundabout and continued for at least 300m before stopping.
The incident has prompted veteran Supercar driver Warrent Luff to call for a ban of earphones for motorists.
Mr Luff, an ambassador for school-based road safety project No Second Chance, said wearing earphones created a hazard and limited awareness.
“I think it should be banned, like mobile phones, because again, it’s limiting the ability of drivers,” he said.
“I would expect it to be an extension of (mobile phone usage) and for it be enforced.”
Senior Constable Kurt Foessel, of Elanora Police Beat, said the motorbike rider was so unaware he was being trailed police thought they might have a pursuit on their hands.
He was caught travelling at 95km/h in a 60km/h zone along Tallebudgera Connection Rd. “Unfortunately (wearing earphones is) not illegal, whether it’s advisable – I’m not sure,” Sen Constable Foessel said.
Russell White, managing director of Driver Safety Australia, said banning earphones “would be a step in the right direction” because motorists were robbing themselves of one of their senses. “Legislation is one thing, but if you’re going to get serious about it, you need enforcement to back it up,” he said.
“I see it all the time and not just the ear buds but the noisecancelling headphones.
“It just adds to the growing number of distracting items.”
But it’s not just motorists distracted by earphones, with cyclists and pedestrians also coming under fire.
Mr Luff said he was an avid cyclist but there “was no way” he would listen to headphones while riding, saying it made them too vulnerable.
Traffic boss Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy said pedestrians needed to take note of emergency vehicles as well.
“People with headphones in are oblivious to the world and they need to be involved, so they don’t get run over.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Zone Commander Superintendent Greg Tomlinson said it was common that people failed to give way to emergency vehicles because they were so distracted.