Rugby MP Mark Pawsey is backing a national campaign launched by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week (18 - 24 November). The campaign appeals to drivers to turn off their phones or put them in the boot, keeping their focus on the road and keeping communities safer. The campaign is also being supported this week by police across the country targeting drivers on hand-held phones.
On attending the campaign launch event, Mark said:
“Staying focused is vital to ensuring you’re safe at the wheel, enabling you to spot hazards in time and react quickly in an emergency. The facts show that if you’re using a mobile phone, even if its hands-free, you’re more likely to crash, potentially causing very serious injury or even killing someone.”
Mark commented:
“These tragedies are entirely preventable. The research tells us that multi-tasking drivers drive worse when their attention is divided. It slows your reaction speed and it affects your hazard perception, in the same way that drinking before you drive does.”
Mark concluded:
“Too often, we all see people using their phones at the wheel. I’m backing this campaign because I want Rugby’s roads to be safe. I hope others in Rugby will do the same and avoid distractions at the wheel, to help to prevent crashes and casualties in our community. If we all get behind this campaign, we can make Rugby’s streets safer places and help stop needless tragedies.”