That is the important message behind the latest campaign from those working to ensure children and young people stay safe when they are out and about.
Mobile phones, portable music players and even personal gaming machines all cause dangerous distractions to young people when they are walking around or crossing the road.
That is why the new campaign – Switch Off Your Mobile – has been launched, in order to raise awareness of the issue and ensure children and young people are aware of road safety issues.
Once again, local heroine Sophie Evans has agreed to be the high-profile and friendly face of the campaign.
She represents the young people of Rhondda Cynon Taf and inspires young people – as well as their parents and guardians – to take note of the campaign and its messages.
Switch Off Your Mobile aims to raise awareness of the dangers of using devices and gadgets when you are walking the streets or crossing the road.
It is important for young people to be aware of the Green Cross Code and ensure they are concentrating fully on their own safety – not on a text message, online chat or listening to the latest tunes.
Switch Off Your Mobile follows the successful Stop, Look and Listen campaign launched last year to highlight the importance of all generations working together to teach young residents about crossing the road safely and holding hands to stay safe.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Road Safety, said: “Our Road Safety Unit works hard to ensure that children and young people stay safe when they are out and about across the County Borough.
“Motorists are now well aware of the danger they put themselves and others in if they use their mobile phones, personal music players and other gadgets while at the wheel.
“But it is also important that young people are aware of the danger they put themselves in if they walk around, especially in high-traffic areas, distracted because they are sending a text message or finding a track on their MP3 player.
“That is why we launched Switched Off Your Mobile and were delighted that Sophie once again agreed to show her support for the campaign.
“She is a local star who is an inspiration to many and it is important for us to have such a high-profile personality to draw attention to a campaign that is there to keep children and young people safe.”
