Call Divert Workshop proves popular option for mobile phone offenders

7 September 2007

More than 3,100 drivers have been caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone in the last six months since tougher penalties were introduced on 27 February this year.

Of those caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone, 961 have already attended a Call Divert workshop, 519 are about to go on a workshop and 132 drivers have been offered a place, making a total of 1,612 drivers attending an educational programme explaining the dangers of this motoring offence. Only 460 drivers have turned down the opportunity to attend a workshop and have paid a fine and received points on their licence instead. The remaining drivers are at the preliminary stages of being offered a workshop place. Attendance at a workshop is an alternative to a £60 fixed penalty and 3 points on the licence.

Malcolm Collis, head of the Specialist Units, Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Department, said: "This is a good take-up rate for the Call Divert workshop, however we are still catching too many motorists driving while using their hand-held mobile phone even though it is illegal and very dangerous. By offering education as an alternative to punishment, we hope to change drivers' attitudes and make the roads safer."

The first Call Divert workshop was held in April. The education scheme aims to educate drivers about the real dangers of making a mobile phone call when driving and raise awareness among drivers that this is not only illegal, but is a significant cause of crashes.

The penalty for being caught driving or supervising a learner while using a hand-held mobile phone or failing to have proper control of a vehicle is an endorsable offence, carrying three penalty points and a fine of £60. In cases that reach court the driver could also be disqualified and receive a fine of up to £1,000 for car drivers and £2,500 for bus, coach or goods vehicle drivers. People who cause or allow the driver to commit this offence, including employers, will face the same penalties. Company officials could also face imprisonment if an employee is driving a vehicle while using a hand held mobile phone and is involved in a fatal collision. The penalties also extend to not having proper control of a vehicle, an offence that also applies to the driver being distracted by using a hands-free mobile phone kit.

The use of mobile phones is a danger because they are a distraction which will increase the driver's reaction time:

o      Drivers are four times more likely to crash while using a mobile phone

o       An average alert driver's reaction time is 0.98 of a second and at 70mph, for example, the vehicle will travel 31 metres in that time before the driver even begins to hit the brakes.

o      When using a hands-free mobile that reaction time increases to 1.25 seconds and 39 metres; when using a hand-held mobile this jumps to 1.46 seconds. This is half as slow again as normal, and a total distance of 45 metres, some 9 car lengths, 3 more that had the driver been concentrating; this quite literally could mean the difference between life and death.

Research, by the Transport Research Laboratory, has shown that using any mobile phone slows one's reactions even more than alcohol at the legal limit.

The interactive workshop will cost £74 including VAT to attend and lasts two and a half hours. It focuses on providing relevant statistics, clarifies the law on the use of mobile phones and provides practical in-class role-play to demonstrate the importance of focused concentration while driving. In addition, the group will discuss the circumstances and consequences of a real life collision where mobile phone use was a major contributing factor.

Chris Howell, Chairman of DriveTech (UK) said: "Many people think they can multi-task while driving without any effect on their driving capability or competence. However, the evidence is clear that using any mobile phone, hand-held or hands-free, is a major distraction and can be a significant contributory factor in road crashes. The Call Divert workshop is designed to make drivers aware of the potential consequences of their driving decisions and so improve road safety for all."

EDITOR'S NOTES

If you are a journalist and interested in observing a Speed Awareness, Seat Belt Awareness or Mobile Phone Awareness (Call Divert) workshop please contact David Richards at DriveTech (UK) at david.richards@drivetech.co.uk or 01344 467271.

Section 26 of the Road Safety Act 2007 provides for the offences of using a hand held mobile phone while driving or supervising and failing to have proper control of a vehicle. Additionally, to cause or permit the offence will also carry penalty points.

In all cases, there is no guarantee that drivers will be given the option of attending the workshops. There are criteria that the driver needs to meet, for example, the driver can not have attended a workshop within the last three years. In extreme cases of excessive speed or other aggravating circumstances motorists will be given no alternative and sent to court.

More information is available from the Department for Transport on:

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/mobilephones/mobilephones.htm

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/mobilephones.htm

For further information contact:

David Richards at DriveTech (UK) at david.richards@drivetech.co.uk or 01344 467271.