Every time you get behind the wheel, you put your life and the lives of those around you at risk.
As we head into the Bank Holiday weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is reminding drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.
Distraction comes in many forms on the road – but mobile phones are the number one cause of distracted driving in Ireland.
The RSA is warning drivers that, when you use your phone while driving, you are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.
Statistics show that when you look at your phone for just one second when driving at 50km/h, you travel 14 metres - around four car lengths - without your eyes on the road in front of you.
Taking your mind and eyes off the road for just a split second can destroy lives forever – and there is no safety benefit to using handsfree over handheld.
According to the RSA, using your phone on the road affects your driving in four ways.
- Physical – Instead of focusing on physical tasks like steering and changing gears, you are using your hands to manipulate your phone.
- Visual – You have to take your eyes off the road and focus on the phone to use it. Even if you are talking on the phone hands-free, your eyes ‘look but do not see’ the road in front of them.
- Auditory – The sounds of the mobile phone draw your attention away from the road and towards the ongoing conversation. This becomes even more dangerous when the sound quality on the phone is poor.
- Cognitive – Instead of focusing your attention and thoughts on the road, you are diverting your attention and focus towards the topic of the phone conversation.
This Bank Holiday weekend, the RSA is urging all drivers to put their phones on Do Not Disturb or Focus mode before getting behind the wheel – ensuring that no calls or notifications come through while driving.
Remember, anyone caught holding a mobile phone while driving faces three penalty points and a €120 fine.
As soon as you turn on that ignition, focusing on anything other than driving can be lethal.
Your phone - would it kill you to put it away?
