More than 300 people across Donegal were caught and fined for using their mobile phone while driving in 2012.
The number of people phoning and driving in Donegal is on the increase.
And the bad news is that the number risking their lives while driving and talking is increasing.
Despite the threat of €2,000 in fines and up to four penalty points, the number of notices for phone use while driving has continued to rise.
During 2012 in Donegal alone, 1,251 points have been issued to drivers for driving while holding a mobile phone.
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is currently focusing on the dangerous use of mobile phones by drivers.
In what is becoming an increasingly common sight motorists continue to flout the law and put lives at risk by calling or texting whilst driving.
It has been an offence to hold a mobile phone while driving since the1st September 2006, and the offence has now overtaken seatbelt offences to become the second highest penalty point offence after speeding.
According to Garda Traffic Inspector, Michael Harrison, drivers and other road-users should be aware of the dangers of using mobile phones when driving.
“Research tells us that you are four times more likely to have a crash if you use a hand-held mobile phone when you are driving. It clearly distracts the driver, impairs their control of the vehicle and reduces their ability to react to what is happening around them.”
This continued use of handheld mobile phones is very worrying to Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer Frances Nichols.
“ It is a very dangerous and stupid practice to use your mobile phone while driving. No call is important enough to risk putting your life or the lives of other road users at risk. Just switch it off or put it on silent before you drive off and you’ll potentially avoid a serious collision. Let’s all work together to make our roads safer”.
Mayor Frank McBrearty has endorsed the campaign and believes that using a phone when driving must stop.
He said, “To drive safely, full concentration is needed. Using phones while driving distracts drivers and increases the risk of them being involved in a serious collision. Turn off your phone when starting a journey – if a call is important, they will leave a message or call back.”
Inspector Harrison concluded his comments by saying “ I want to remind people that it is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone when driving and hopefully people will take heed of this message. For those that don’t, you need to be aware that Garda personnel are enforcing the law rigorously on mobile phones on a daily basis, for the safety of all road users. There is no place for a mobile phone when driving.”
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