Kent Highways Services (KHS) Road Safety Team has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risks of using a mobile phone while driving. This is part of its overall programme to reduce the number of road crashes in Kent. We want to significantly lower the killed and seriously injured (KSI) figures during this year. We deal with the aftermath of crashes and know that they affect not only the driver involved, but like ripples on a pond it affects other road users, their families, friends and acquaintances.

Get the Message

Talking, texting or downloading data onto your phone requires you to concentrate on that activity. Research has proved that if you use your mobile phone (hands-free or hand-held) whilst driving, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol and you significantly miss more road warning signs*

Those who drive poorly as a result of distraction from a conversation on a hands-free phone risk prosecution for not having proper control of their vehicle. The penalties are exactly the same as using a hand-held phone.

Employers can be prosecuted if they require employees to make or receive phone calls while driving. It is an offence to cause or permit the use of a hand-held mobile phone when driving. It is also an offence to cause or permit a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle... so that covers hands-free use.

Remember, under the new drivers act if you accumulate 6 points in the first 2 years after passing your test you are disqualified. A seemingly harsh penalty for just being unable to resist taking a couple of phone calls when driving.

If a case goes to court then, in addition to the points, discretionary disqualification can be added on top of the existing maximum fine of £1,000. This can rise to £2,500 in the case of a driver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle!

In 2008, well over 4,000 people in Kent were issued fixed penalty notices for using a mobile phone while driving. **

The message is clear - Just Drive! Before you start the engine of your car, van, bus or truck, switch off your mobile. Set your phone to voicemail or call divert, that way you will not miss a call. If you are on a long journey take regular breaks, get out and walk about and make your calls then.

Campaign

We have launched a campaign that will use TV and radio advertising, street marketing, small poster sites and media relations to drive the message out to Kent motorists. We believe that if we act together we can reduce the number of crashes and incidents on Kent's roads. Using a mobile phone whilst driving adds an unnecessary risk to your journey, is it worth it?

*There have been a number of research reports identifying the danger of using any mobile phone while driving - Click here to download research from TRL for Direct Line Insurance

**Kent police figures 2008