The Minister for Road Safety today launched a life saving reminder to drivers - they can live
without their phones.The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) campaign focuses on the dangers of using a mobile phone - whether its text, talk, tweet or Facebook - while driving.
SA Police will be holding Operation Distraction in September to coincide with the campaign.
About 30 per cent of drivers who lost their lives on the State's roads last year were distracted or not
paying attention.
Ms Rankine said mobile phones are integrated into all aspects of our lives and this makes it tough to
accept the dangers of using them when driving.
"Drivers who take their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel, take an enormous
risk by not paying attention to what's happening around them," she said.
"Many mobile phones are now also pocket computers and there is a strong preoccupation to check
updates and respond.
"But taking your eyes off the road for just three seconds - if you are travelling at 60kmh - means that
you will travel blind for 50 metres.
"Imagine a child stepping out onto the road if you happen to be distracted for those few
seconds. The consequences would be devastating."
The use of mobile phones has grown rapidly, but so have the volume of mobile expiations.
In 2005, SAPOL detected more than 4000 mobile phone offences. There were more than 13,400
offences detected in 2011. The fine for illegally using a mobile phone while driving is $291 plus $60
for Victims of Crime.
MAC Chief Executive Officer Jerome Maguire, said inattention is the main cause of rear end crashes.
These claims make up 25% of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance costs, and cost the
community about $85 million each year.
"Before driving switch your phone to silent. If you must communicate with others while driving,
pull over safely and park your car first," Mr Maguire said.
The campaign is made up of five television ads which will air from this Sunday. There is also
newspaper, radio, online and billboards ads.
> MAC SA YouTube Channel 