Glasgow campaign highlights dangers of mobile phones

With so many people now owning a mobile phone, research shows that using one can be a major factor in many accidents involving both pedestrians and drivers. To help combat this Glasgow City Council’s road safety unit is running a campaign to raise awareness of the road safety problems using a mobile can lead to.

Tests carried out by researchers at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) show that drivers on mobile phones have slower reaction and stopping times than those under the influence of alcohol, and that hand–free kits are almost as distracting as hand-held phones. Under current legislation there is no specific ban on using a mobile phone while driving - at present offences relating to in-car mobile phone use are dealt with under careless or dangerous driving legislation.

"We are committed to highlighting this problem," said Councillor Ronnie Quinn, convenor of the City Council’s road safety sub committee. "This campaign is not exclusively aimed at drivers - hopefully pedestrians will become more safety conscious when using their phones."

The campaign launch took place in George Square, Glasgow and was attended by Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Councillor Matheson, and RoSPA’s Michael McDonnell. Local and national press showed support for the campaign by highlighting it to the public.

Further information about this campaign can be obtained from Bill Smith at: Bill.Smith@land.glasgow.gov.uk