Social media scrolling at wheel ‘causing a real issue’

Garda chief urges motorists not to get distracted by their phones

PEOPLE who are scrolling through social media while driving are causing a ‘real issue’, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said.

There were 19,000 people caught using their phones while driving last year.

Mr Harris said the offence wasn’t linked to any one age group, adding: ‘If you’re using your mobile phone, you are distracted, and events in front of you on the road, as you’re driving along, can change in an instance. Concentrate on the road ahead, put your phone to one side and certainly don’t look at social media.’

He continued: ‘People have social media open on their [phones on their] laps and glancing down at it as they scroll through, and that’s causing a real issue. There’s no clever technology we can apply to this; it is the eyeball, in effect, seeing an individual working at or using their phone whilst driving. We are seeing terrible events on the roads. But in the majority, there is some blameworthy factor... Could be speed, could be individuals driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or distracted driving.’

He appealed to people to slow down, not get distracted, wear seatbelts and not drink or be on drugs while driving. Speaking to reporters yesterday at Scoil Mhuire and Scoil Bhríde in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Mr Harris said there were over 150,000 detections of drivers speeding last year.

He also said gains made in the decline of drink driving have been almost lost and replaced by drivers under the influence of drugs. He said huge efforts have been made in terms of educating the motoring public to the risks.

Mr Harris said: ‘Regrettably we are now seeing things like drink driving being replaced by individuals driving under the influence of drugs. Driver behaviour is a very important element in this. Speed is another contributing factor.

‘We’re seeing collisions of all types but certainly fatal collisions and serious-injury collisions where speed has been very much a contributory factor. And last year there were over 150,000 detections for speeding.’ According to Garda figures, 35 people have been killed on Irish roads so far this year.

The Commissioner was speaking at a schools-led road safety initiative where children are highlighting the dangers of using your mobile phone while driving.

‘Seeing collisions of all types’

Mr Harris welcomed the safety campaign, which is being organised by the Tullamore Rotary Club. The children recorded an advert that will run on local radio and carries a slogan they say is simple and easy for everyone to understand – Phone Down, Safe Driving. Additionally, new pilot road signs in association with Offaly County Council and An Garda Síochána are up in the town, while a social media campaign is being backed by pop band Chasing Abbey and Offaly hurler Adam Screeney.