DRIVER inattention is on the police agenda on Wednesday.
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Officers will be out in force looking for people distracted while driving, as National Road Safety Week continues.
“Not paying attention is a major crash factor and clearly using a mobile phone is still a big temptation to many people,” Tasmania Police Northern Commander Brett Smith said.
“If you need to answer a phone call or send a text, pull over and park in a safe spot off the road.”
National Road Safety Week runs from May 1 to 8.
Each day, police focus on the “fatal five” factors in road fatalities – inattention, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while under the influence, and not driving to the conditions.
It follows the death of six people on state roads between April 22 and 29, putting the road death toll at 18 – six more than this time last year.
Road Safety Advisory Council chair Jim Cox said it is impossible for drivers to ensure their own safety, or the safety of those around them, if they are using a mobile phone.
““Driving is a complex task, even though it can seem we can do it without much thinking,” he said.
“Talking on a mobile phone – even hands-free – or texting, takes valuable concentration away from driving and in in the few seconds it takes to take your eyes off the road and look at a text message a tragedy can happen.”
On Tuesday, Launceston College students took to Symmons Plains Raceway and participated in a demonstration of why it is dangerous to text and drive.
Anyone affected by road trauma is urged to contact Road Trauma Support Tasmania on 0427 487 251.