The four Welsh Police Forces, led by South Wales Police, in partnership with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, and Road Safety Wales are launching the first All Wales Anti Mobile Phone Driving Campaign today(Tuesday 23rd March 2010) at the Aberavon Shopping Centre, Port Talbot.
JAG Communications retail store will also be supporting the campaign by giving 50% off all Bluetooth mobile phones and handsets for today only and Swansea City Football Player Joe Allan will also be present; showing his support.
Despite the recent law change where mobile phone driving results in three penalty points and a £60 fine, drivers in Wales are still persisting with this dangerous activity and breaking the law.
Police patrols to target mobile phone driving will increase across Welsh roads for the month of April to promote the safety message and raise awareness of the dangers and penalties amongst motorists.
T/Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis of South Wales Police will be attending today’s launch at the Aberavon Shopping Centre in Neath Port Talbot and said,
“The All Wales Anti Mobile Phone Driving Campaign is aimed at raising awareness amongst drivers about the real dangers involved when driving whilst using a mobile phone.
“When you’re using a mobile phone or handheld device at the wheel you’re distracted and your reactions will be affected. It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration before you could become the cause of a serious collision or be involved in a fatal road traffic collision.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the phone to your ear or you’re texting on your lap, research shows that it affects concentration and reduces hazard perception and reactions.
“Driving and mobile phones do not mix. Using a mobile phone whilst driving makes you four times more likely to have an accident and a phone call isn’t worth the risk.
“One of the five major contributory factors in all fatal and serious injury collisions nationally, involve the misuse of mobile phones by drivers.
“Penalties were increased in February 2007 to a minimum £60 fine and three points on your driving licence. If you are caught, you face being disqualified from driving and could end up in court with a £1500 fine and a prison sentence.”
“We want the use of a mobile phone at the wheel to be seen as just as reckless and socially unacceptable as drink driving and anyone caught using their mobile phone while driving will be prosecuted.”
“Our message to them is that it’s NOT safe at all. You run the risk of killing yourself, your passengers, and other innocent road users.”
“Research by the Department for Transport has shown that three quarters of people believe that drivers who use their mobile phone are needlessly risking their own and other people’s safety.
“In the South Wales Police force area alone, in 2008 there were 3316 people caught and issued with a fixed penalty notice for misuse of a mobile phone. In 2009, this increased to 3641 which shows it is an increasing danger on our roads.
“We are committed to educating drivers, however, let there be no mistake, we are also committed to enforcing this law rigorously and will be stepping up patrols to target this illegal activity during April.”
Ali Thomas, Leader of the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council said,
“I am really pleased that this All Wales initiative to highlight the dangers of using mobile phones when driving is taking place in Neath Port Talbot. Our Road Safety team have worked closely with South Wales Police to lead on this initiative and I must thenk them for all the hard work that them for all the hard work that they have done to highlight this problem.”
Figures for South Wales Police area:
2007: 2562 fixed penalty notices issues for the offence of misusing a mobile phone
2008: 3316 fixed penalty notices issues for the offence of misusing a mobile phone
2009: 3641 fixed penalty notices were issued
2010: 475 in the first two months
