❓ Hon Wilson Tucker asks about government efforts to educate drivers on the risks of mobile phone use while driving, given recent figures showing high rates of offences. The Minister details media campaigns, safety camera trials, community grants, and online resources.
AnsweredQoN 959Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ROAD SAFETY — MOBILE PHONES
959. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to recent Western Australia
Police Force figures that reveal in this year alone, 4 945 Western Australian
drivers have been caught using their mobile phones while driving. Can the
minister please inform the house of the government's efforts to educate
drivers of the risks associated with using a phone while driving?
The PRESIDENT : Again, that
is seeking a fair amount of information.
959. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to recent Western Australia
Police Force figures that reveal in this year alone, 4 945 Western Australian
drivers have been caught using their mobile phones while driving. Can the
minister please inform the house of the government's efforts to educate
drivers of the risks associated with using a phone while driving?
The PRESIDENT : Again, that
is seeking a fair amount of information.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. Yes, it seeks lots of information but I would hate
to fall foul of standing orders or be accused of not giving an answer, so I provide
the following answer on behalf of the Minister for Police; Road Safety.
The Western Australia Police Force
advises that the Road Safety Commission undertakes a number of activities to
educate drivers on the danger of using mobile phones while driving. These
include the ''Distance of distraction'' mass media campaign that
highlights that if a person glances away from the road when driving at 60 kilometres
an hour for just two seconds to look at their phone, they are effectively
driving blind for 33 metres. Even worse, at 100 kilometres an hour a person
will miss 55 metres of road. The campaign has been in market since 2019 and was
most recently shown during the AFL finals television coverage in August and
September 2022.
The government has effectively
leveraged earned media surrounding its safety camera trial to educate drivers
of the risks associated with using a phone while driving. The trial launch in
July 2022 generated significant media interest and focused on the high-risk
nature of the behaviours the cameras can detect, including using a mobile phone
while driving. Distraction—namely, by mobile phones—is regularly
referenced as one of the fatal five on WA roads and emphasised during peak
periods such as long weekends and school holidays. The government's
road safety community grants program continues to provide funding to local
communities to positively influence driver
behaviour at the grassroots level. Surfing WA recently received grant funding
for its No Txt No Wrecks project that aims to reduce mobile phone
distraction while driving. The commission also has information on the rules on
mobile phone use while driving, penalties and a quiz on its website.
some notice of the question. Yes, it seeks lots of information but I would hate
to fall foul of standing orders or be accused of not giving an answer, so I provide
the following answer on behalf of the Minister for Police; Road Safety.
The Western Australia Police Force
advises that the Road Safety Commission undertakes a number of activities to
educate drivers on the danger of using mobile phones while driving. These
include the ''Distance of distraction'' mass media campaign that
highlights that if a person glances away from the road when driving at 60 kilometres
an hour for just two seconds to look at their phone, they are effectively
driving blind for 33 metres. Even worse, at 100 kilometres an hour a person
will miss 55 metres of road. The campaign has been in market since 2019 and was
most recently shown during the AFL finals television coverage in August and
September 2022.
The government has effectively
leveraged earned media surrounding its safety camera trial to educate drivers
of the risks associated with using a phone while driving. The trial launch in
July 2022 generated significant media interest and focused on the high-risk
nature of the behaviours the cameras can detect, including using a mobile phone
while driving. Distraction—namely, by mobile phones—is regularly
referenced as one of the fatal five on WA roads and emphasised during peak
periods such as long weekends and school holidays. The government's
road safety community grants program continues to provide funding to local
communities to positively influence driver
behaviour at the grassroots level. Surfing WA recently received grant funding
for its No Txt No Wrecks project that aims to reduce mobile phone
distraction while driving. The commission also has information on the rules on
mobile phone use while driving, penalties and a quiz on its website.
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