Cellphone blitz stops drivers in their tracks
December 8, 2011, 8:32 am
The Police two week blitz on drivers using cellphones while driving netted 119 percent increase in offences and resulted in more than 800 notices being issued by Police.
The "blitz" was timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the introduction of legislation banning mobile phone use while driving.
Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager - Road Policing says that the campaign highlighted the number of drivers who are still talking or texting on cellphones while driving.
"It's pretty disappointing really. I think drivers do understand the dangers, they just can't be bothered to put their safety and that of other road users before this one phone call. They fall back that old chestnut - 'it won't happen to me' and take the chance.
We keep on saying drivers need to consider their time behind the wheel as time when they need every faculty on full alert. Driving is a complex task and there is no room for complacency at all.
The latest Police figures show that the majority of drivers have changed their behaviour but still more than 15,000 offence notices have been issued nationwide over the