That is a very scary statistic hope that reduces soon.

Mobile phones are so dangerous. I see it on the highway all the time. Watch next time you are driving in a 3 laned road. If you see a car drifting on the road 95% of the time they are on the phone!

This is so terrible. =(

Sadly; have seen a lot of texting during the holidays!

I see people texting all the time while driving cars; I just don’t get it! What is so important? It is so dangerous! It seems to be across the ages too. The penalties need to be tougher as education campaigns do not seem to be working. I know someone who was fined $250! She knew it was stupid to answer the phone; but still did! She was caught by an officer in an unmarked police car. Needless to say; she has not repeated the offence and is somewhat poorer!

I don’t understand why cars are not built with a block to stop mobile devices working when the car is in motion. If the phone won’t work, then they won’t be looking at it.

We still see plenty of people of all ages driving around talking on mobile phones, they think because they live out in the country the law doesn’t apply to them.

I wish people would not use phones when driving. it is so selfish and completely unavoidable. there is no excuse.

Such an important article for all to read, driver distraction may only be a minute but it can have fatal or lasting consequences.

On the SE Freeway in SA heading towards to Adelaide part of it has new speed limits, both for cars and trucks. On that section car drivers (young and older) are often as silly as the truck drivers. Rather than ride the brakes in cars and them over-heat you need to use a lower gear or low setting on an automatic, letting your motor slow you down. I have friends who are truck drivers who use the Freeway frequently. They have told me that they actually start slowing down by going into lower gears to slow down rather than their brakes before they get to the huge signs and sometimes don’t need to use them until they reach the traffic lights at the bottom if there is no or very little traffic around. Those who use their brakes excessively are the ones that have problems with their brakes overheating. A lot of the trucks will not use the emergency arrester (gravel) ramps because it literally bogs them in the gravel.
One driver I know had his motor blow up heading towards Adelaide. As it wasn’t on the deep descent section he was able to slow it down sufficiently initially just using the low gears then the brakes, Had he not been able to stop before the 1st ramp he was going to use it – no hesitation. When he contacted a heavy vehicle towing company he was informed that if he was in the arrester bed the Police would fine him. He didn’t have brake failure at all so he doesn’t know whether he would have been fined or not. Going into the gravel does cause some vehicle damage but as the driver said lives are more important, not vehicle repairs.
One of the problems truck drivers have is cars passing and moving across in front of them far too close, meaning they have to brake hard to miss them and it takes longer for a truck to adjust to the mininum distance behind the vehicle in front. Yes! they agree there are some “cowboys” amongst them that give the transport industry a bad reputation. Some truckies will be the first to acknowledge that. Another issue they have is other vehicles trying to pass them when they are turning. Why do people think trucks have a sign on the back of them “do not overtake when turning” I personally have seen one accident as a result of a car doing that, trying to speed past a truck as it was already turning, the car having just come out of a side road in an area surrounded by scrub land. Fortunately nobody was injured as the truck driver stopped as soon as he heard the metal noise.

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  • • june11 replied
    • 04 Sep 2014 , 12:09 pm

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  Car motorists are now complaining that they are getting fines. The new law came into effect on Mon 1st Sept. It has widely advertised on TV, Radio for a few weeks, especially last week.
  The Media was “flooded” with it last week.
  Trucks have been given a few days of grace to work out exactly the time to change gears to slow to lower speed as their limit has dropped a lot. Apparently some Transport Companies have researched how long it should take on various sections of country roads and top speed this can be achieved at but have been advised to go slower than that, that in some cases it isn’t safe to go at such high speed anyway.
  Many businesses (not just transport) tell their employees that if they get speeding fines in company vehicles they personally will be paying their fines, not the company, that they are paid to drive safely and within the laws. If using a “pool” car they usually have to fill in a record book with going out time and sign and sign again when the return and hand the keys in.

Mobile phone and other device usage is fraught with danger and the younger population aren’t the only ones doing this

Im not sure about the parental role modelling…Im a very calm driver but my eldest daughter isnt. She always remarks on how calm i am and she cant understand why or how i remain so calm when confronted with idiot drivers…lol

i think if anyone is caught texting or not using handsfree should be given a hefty fine plus also taken to an accident sight so they can see the reality of what happens when you use your phone whilst driving

I think its sad that so many think it wont happen to me, great tips for all not just the young

My daughter has just got her learners. She doesn’t have a phone but for years I have told her don’t text or talk when driving. Amazing how many people you see driving and on their phone, even more amazing is most are over 25.

great tips – not just for young!

It annoys me no end when I see people texting whilst driving, the message is getting out there but sadly some just don’t get it.

if only people would learn that it is not usually them (the one doing the wrong thing) that dies it is usually innocent passes by be it pedestrians or drivers

I think it should be compulsory for all drivers to have hands free mobile set up in their car & if not they should put the phone in the boot before driving.

What is the answer? I’m still seeing so many people talking on their phone while driving … with kids in the car, turning one-handed at roundabouts. What part of this do they not understand?