Switch Off B4 U Drive Off

Hertfordshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit, in partnership with Hertfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Road Safety Unit, has been busy raising awareness of the recently introduced mobile phone legislation.

On 1 December – the day the law was introduced - staff from the Road Safety Unit and local traffic management officers visited the Welcome Break Services at South Mimms on the M25, one of the busiest motorway Services in the country.

Visitors to the services were handed information on how the new law affected them, as well as car air fresheners displaying a clear ‘switch it off’ message to act as a constant reminder inside their vehicles.

The following week Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Road Safety Units joined up at Services on the A1(M) at Baldock to continue promoting the message.

Many of the drivers were businessmen and women travelling on work-related journeys. While most were aware of the introduction of new rules, many were surprised to learn of the full implications of the new legislation. Studies have shown that 75 per cent of drivers who use a mobile phone also use a company car, and therefore this is an important target group. The message from road safety officers and the police was to avoid the use of mobile phones completely while driving, as this is safer than using a hands free phone - which still represents a significant distraction to safe motoring.

Many local independent mobile phone retailers across Hertfordshire have also joined the campaign to raise public awareness, pledging to provide information on the new mobile phone law over the coming month.

For further information contact Alan Story, RSO – Publicity, 01992 556809, alan.story@hertscc.gov.uk