Hundreds of drivers risk fatal distraction, South Australia

A staggering 459 drivers were detected illegally using a mobile phone on South Australian roads last week during a police crack down on driver distraction.

The week-long, state-wide operation dubbed ‘Fatal Distraction’ ran from 24 to 30 August.

More than half of all lives lost on South Australian roads this year have been attributed to driver distraction. From 2015 – 2019, 43 per cent of deaths and 48 percent of serious injuries on our roads were attributed to inattention.

Operation Fatal Distraction focussed on motorists committing distraction-based offences in relation to mobile phone use, interacting with social media and other behaviour that causes inattention.

Superintended Bob Gray, officer in charge of Traffic Service Branch, said it is disappointing that drivers are still putting their lives and the lives of other road users at risk by operating a vehicle whilst distracted.

“Driving is a complex task, requiring drivers to use and coordinate a number of skills,” Supt Gray said.

“Any lapse in concentration increases the risk of drivers, riders and pedestrians being involved in a crash. Driving while using a hand held phone can significantly impair reaction times, ability to maintain speed, judge safe gaps in traffic and notice other users on the road.”

Supt Gray urged all drivers to familiarise themselves with the rules in regard to mobile phone usage whilst driving, as there can be confusion amongst some members of the community.

“It is every motorist’s responsibility to understand the laws in relation to using our roads,” Supt Gray said.

“P plate and L plate drivers are not allowed to interact with a mobile phone AT ALL while driving.

Drivers with a full license are allowed to use voice activated commands to operate their phone but ONLY if it is in a dedicated mobile phone cradle and does not involve touching the device.”

/Public Release. View in full here.