Premier announces new measures to target distracted road users

27 Feb 2013

MEDIA RELEASE: 27 February 2013

Premier Ted Baillieu has launched a major new campaign – including tougher penalties, new technology and a confronting advertising campaign – in a bid to reduce the number of distracted road users.

Mr Baillieu said the move had been strongly supported by Victorians who responded to the Coalition Government’s Road Safety Survey.

“Victoria has led the world with our campaigns on drink-driving, drugs and speeding, but little has been done to educate drivers on the dangers of being distracted while driving,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Phone calls, text messages, music and GPS devices combine to make it more challenging to concentrate behind the wheel.

“It’s important all road users understand how quickly inattention can end in disaster.

“All Victorians – pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, passengers – have a responsibility to concentrate and be alert to what’s happening on the road.

“Drivers who take their eyes of the road for just two seconds when driving at only 50km/h, travel for 27 metres, effectively blind.

“The Coalition Government is taking a whole-of-government approach to address this problem because distracted drivers are dangerous drivers,” Mr Baillieu said.

The changes unveiled today include:

• Distractions – a confronting new road safety campaign developed by the Transport Accident Commission to be rolled out across TV, internet and outdoor advertising from tonight;
  
• Tougher and more effective penalties for those caught using their mobile phones while driving;
  
• Extending the ban on mobile phone use, including hands free sets, by P1 drivers to include P2 drivers; and
  
• Development of Road Mode, a new road safety app for android phones to minimise driver distraction.

Assistant Treasurer and Minister responsible for the TAC Gordon Rich-Phillips said almost 90 per cent of respondents to the Coalition Government’s Road Safety Survey said that texting while driving should lead to tougher penalties.

“Mobile phones are the biggest distraction for road users. In 2011-12 Victoria Police issued more than 55,000 mobile phone infringement notices to drivers, with 20 to 30 year olds the biggest offenders,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

“Other distractions include using satellite navigation systems, eating food, putting on makeup while driving or using MP3 players while walking, riding and driving.”

In addition to greater enforcement and education, the Coalition Government is developing new technology to minimise distractions on the road.

When enabled, the Road Mode app will put a mobile phone on silent and send a text message to anyone who tries to call or text that mobile, telling them the person is driving and will respond when it is safe to do so.

The Richardson family, based in Mulwala, has thrown its support behind the campaign.

Vicki Richardson’s 20-year-old daughter Brooke died in December last year when her car hit a tree. Brooke’s mobile phone showed that she had been texting and driving moments before the accident.

“Since Brooke’s death we have been urging our community around Mulwala and all Victorians, to please, don’t be tempted to use your mobile phone while driving. It’s just not worth cutting a life short,” Ms Richardson said.

Mr Rich-Phillips said distractions were a growing concern for the whole Victorian community because they affected not only drivers, but also vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

It is up to every individual on our roads to avoid distractions because all road users are capable of causing crashes through inattention. I urge all Victorians to stay alert and stay alive,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

More Information on distractions  available here