27 February marked one year anniversary since penalties for using a mobile phone while driving changed from a £30 fine to a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence Under the Road Safety Act. The Department for Transport launched a new THINK! mobile phones campaign highlighting the one year anniversary of the change in legislation which if the case goes to court, drivers face a maximum fine of £1,000, which rises to £2,500 for commercial drivers of heavy goods vehicles.
The CWU's Health, Safety and Environment Department have been supporting the "Think" campaign objectives and continuing to raise awareness amongst CWU members of the change in penalties to the £60 fine and 3 points on the driving licence, bearing in mind that BT and Royal Mail operate two of the biggest fleets in Europe and the large number of CWU members who's job depends on the ability to drive.
National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce said "We want to remind drivers that it is not okay to pick up the phone whilst driving. We want to extend the responsibility to the caller to think before making a call to a driver and to remind employers and our members managers that they can be prosecuted if they require workers to receive or make a call when driving."
Dave added "There's a realisation and increasing concern amongst employers and fleet operators about the new Corporate Manslaughter Act that comes into force on 6 April and the likelihood of the Health and Safety Executive becoming involved in cases where an 'at-work' business driver has a fatal accident and therefore many employers and companies are re-assessing the risks tightening up on drivers who use mobile phones." "Callers also play an important role in keeping the roads safe. If the person they're speaking to is driving, they should terminate the call and speak to them later."
A number of Police Forces across the UK have been undertaking days of action and campaigns against offending drivers.
185,000 drivers were caught and fined using hand-held phones in 2007 and a further 3,000 convicted of ‘failing to have proper control offences’ (used to deal with those distracted by a hands-free phone). Official figures for 2004 show 75,000 prosecutions 2005 show 128,000 prosecutions and 2006 shows 169,000 prosecutions for the hand-held mobile phone offences. The vast majority of the motoring public complies with the law and is aware of the significant road safety risks of trying to drive and use a mobile phone at the same time but Police forces say that there are still a significant number of persistent offenders and too many motorists who use their mobile phones when they are behind the wheel and run the risk of causing a collision despite that risk and the implications of getting points on a driving licence.
Reaction times are about 50% slower when driving and using a mobile phone and the risk of crashing is about four times higher. There's a determined effort to improve road safety and Dft and Police have appealed to all drivers to help by switching their phone off. Drivers with hands free devices, are reminded that they too are liable to a fine of £60 and three points if, as a result, they are not in proper control of their vehicle or have a full view of the road ahead.
A YouGov poll carried out for the Department for Transport also showed that 90% of the public believe that using a mobile phone at the wheel has a negative impact on a person's driving.
Three quarters of people asked believe that drivers who use their mobile phones are needlessly risking their own and other people's safety.
Research also showed a 40% reduction in the number of car drivers seen using hand-held mobiles at the wheel between during 2007 and just 1% of car drivers were observed using a hand-held mobile while driving, compared with 1.7% in 2006.
The message is ''Switch off before you drive off – Don’t risk it!''
The CWU Health Safety and Environment Department have issued guidance and questions and answers on the Mobile Phone Law for Branches, Safety Representatives and Members along with the DfT "THINK" Road Safety Campaign Leaflet "Dying to Take The Call?"
Download NW BTU Campaign Dashboard Stickers
Source: CWU
