Click.Store.Go. is the latest campaign from the Tasmanian Government and the Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) to highlight the risks of illegal mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt correctly while driving.
RSAC Chair, Scott Tilyard said Click.Store.Go is a reminder to Tasmanian motorists to always click on your seatbelt, store your phone and you’re good to go.
“This campaign is giving Tasmanian motorists plenty of notice that the new mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras will soon be issuing fines, while giving recalcitrant drivers the chance to change their ways.
“All drivers engage in distracting activities while they are driving. Changing a song, drinking a coffee, refereeing the kids in the backseat or checking your mobile phone. These are all activities that distract us and interfere with safe driving.
“However, increased use of mobile phones while driving is a type of distraction that has the biggest impact on driving behaviour.
“Using mobile phones means drivers have their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off the road and the surrounding situation.
“Evidence shows distraction caused by mobile phones can impair performance in a number of ways, notably braking reaction time, but also reaction to traffic signals, ability to keep in the correct lane, shorter following distances, and an overall reduction in awareness of what is happening around you.
“We want drivers to reduce their distractions when they’re driving and if you don’t feel like you have the willpower to stop looking at your phone, you should turn it off and put it away.
“Unlike distraction, incorrectly wearing a seatbelt is not necessarily the cause of crashes, but it does increase the severity of the injury.
“Although it’s hard to believe there are some people who still choose not to wear a seatbelt, this simple action can reduce the risk of being killed in a crash by up to 50 per cent. So please, always wear your seatbelt correctly and make sure your passengers do too,” Mr Tilyard said.
‘Click.Store.Go’ will hit Tasmanian TV screens, radio airwaves and digital media this week and will be on billboards around the state.
This campaign is an initiative to encourage safer road use and promote safe behaviours under the current Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-2024.
Find out more about the campaign here.