Mobiles part of ‘fatal five’

Texting at wheel the big road safety risk

TEXTING and driving is the biggest potential killer on our roads according to Driver Safety Australia’s Russell White.

The Southport local has been promoting road safety across the Gold Coast and the country for the past 10 years.

In the past few years he has seen mobile phone use in cars skyrocket and he’s determined to be part of the solution.

“Education is a big thing, we have to teach our young drivers that distraction at the wheel is deadly,” he said.

“When a driver is trying to do too many things at once it reduces their focus, whether it is send a text, take a call, or even eat at the wheel.

“It is part of the fatal five; when I speak to police they tell me busting people on their phones could be a full-time job.

“People just don’t think it is as dangerous as it is, but I would conservatively say that it is the biggest killer on our roads.

“A phone is the first thing many police look for when attending a serious crash.”

Mr White and his colleague, Donna Caley, visit schools and businesses across the state to educate drivers.

They use a sophisticated simulator to get the message across, showing people how easy it is to lose control.

“There are tougher penalties for people caught on their phones, but we still need to be teaching the ‘ why’, especially to young drivers,” he said.

“If we can show them why it’s dangerous and why they shouldn’t do it, then maybe they won’t go down that path.

Mr White said studies had found that, among drivers aged 18 to 65 years, an estimated 45,800 drivers have had a car accident while using a mobile phone and 146,762 have had to take action to avoid an accident.

“The risk of being involved in an accident increases by between two and nine times if using a mobile phone,” he said.

Mr White said technology could be a solution.

“There needs to be readily available apps or programs that disable your phone when the car is moving.

“There are some coming out on the market now, but it needs to be the standard.

“It’s the only way to truly stop the temptation.”

Picture: MIKE BATTERHAM Bulletin reporter Jessica Elder finds out just how dangerous texting and driving can be on a simulator at Australia Fair under the watchful eye of Driver Safety Australia’s Russell White.