Motorists urged to put mobile phone away this May Bank Holiday weekend

Motorists urged to put mobile phone away this May Bank Holiday weekend

By Mary Dennehy

GARDAI and the Road Safety Authority have urged drivers to put their mobile phones away while driving this May Bank Holiday weekend.

The advice comes following new research, which shows that one in 10 motorists admit to regularly texting while driving.

Garda with back to camera

Gardai have issued an appeal to motorists 

According to An Garda Siochana, the Driver Attitudes and Behaviour Survey 2020 also revealed that nine per cent of motorists admit to driving and talking on a handheld mobile phone.

Some nine per cent of motorists regularly check mobile apps while behind the wheel, the survey also noted.

Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have urged motorists to put their mobile phones away ahead of the May Bank Holiday.

Mr Sam Waide, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority, said: “If you take your eyes off the road for just one second, a car moving at 50km/h will travel 14 metres – that’s approximately four car lengths.

“That is 14 metres where a driver is not paying attention to the road.

“Taking a call, sending a text or checking your apps while driving is dangerous behaviour which could result in catastrophic consequences for you or some other road user.

“So put the phone away, it is not worth the risk.

“Nothing is that urgent that it cannot wait until you are safely parked up.

“If you know someone is driving, avoid phoning them, it can wait until later.

“With the Bank Holiday approaching we are asking motorists to get into the habit of putting your phone away before setting off on a journey – either turn your mobile phone off, switch it to airplane mode, put it on silent or simply put it out of sight.”

According to Inspector Ian O’Callaghan, Cork West Divisional Roads Policing Unit, An Garda Siochana last year issued 24,474 Fixed Charged Notices to drivers for using a mobile phone while driving.

“If you are detected driving with a phone in your hand, or cradled in the crook of your neck, you face a fixed charged notice of €60 and 3 penalty points on your driving licence”, Insp O’Callaghan said.

According to figures released, eight people have lost their lives and 58 have been seriously injured over the May Bank Holiday weekend, between 2016 and 2020.

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