Whether it’s a Nokia, Siemens, Sony Ericsson or an iPhone – it’s a shocking fact that using your mobile phone while driving can be as dangerous as being drunk behind the wheel.
Oprah Winfrey has started a campaign in the USA on this serious issue to raise awareness for how dangerous driving while distracted by your mobile phone can be.
I know only too well myself how easy it is to pick up my mobile while I’m in the car, but after watching a specific episode on the dangers of texting while driving on the Oprah Winfrey show, I certainly won’t be doing it again.
Some of the disturbing statistics mentioned on the show are sure to make most people stop and rethink the dangers of using a mobile while driving really is:
- A driver talking on a mobile is FOUR TIMES more likely to get into an accident
- If you text while you drive you are EIGHT TIMES more likely to get into an accident
- 71% of people aged between 17 – 49 text or talk on the phone while they drive
The Oprah campaign against using mobile phones while driving has adopted the slogan - Don’t Tempt Fate – that Text can wait
Garda statistics for Ireland show that, fom January to March this year, 10% of all fixed charge notices served were issued to drivers caught using their mobiles while driving (compared to 8.9% for the same period last year).
So, what happens here if you are caught using your mobile while driving?
A €60 fixed charge fine and 2 penalty points (on payment – 4 penalty points if you are convicted). But, given how dangerous it is to drive while distracted, should it actually be more? What do you think?
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