Why Using a Mobile Phone When Driving Is Dangerous
Using a mobile phone while driving takes your attention away from the road. Even a brief distraction can prevent you from noticing a pedestrian, changing traffic conditions or a vehicle stopping ahead.
Mobile Phones Create Several Distractions
Mobile-phone use can affect a driver in several ways:
- Visual distraction: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual distraction: removing a hand from the steering wheel
- Mental distraction: thinking about a conversation or message instead of driving
- Auditory distraction: concentrating on sounds from the phone rather than surrounding traffic
Texting is particularly dangerous because it combines several of these distractions.
How Phone Use Affects Driving
Using a phone can reduce your ability to:
- React quickly to hazards
- Maintain a safe speed and road position
- Judge distances between vehicles
- Notice pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
- Read signs and traffic signals
- Make safe decisions at intersections
Hands-free calls can also be distracting because the conversation may take your concentration away from driving.
Mobile-Phone Rules in Western Australia
Western Australia has strict rules governing mobile-phone use while driving. The exact restrictions depend on how the phone is being used and, in some circumstances, the type of licence held.
Because road rules and penalties can change, drivers should check the current requirements on an official Western Australian government website.
How to Avoid Mobile-Phone Distractions
Before beginning your journey:
- Set your destination in the navigation system
- Place the phone somewhere you cannot easily reach it
- Activate “Do Not Disturb While Driving”
- Tell family and friends that you will respond after arriving
- Ask a passenger to handle calls or navigation
If you must use your phone, pull over and park legally in a safe place before touching it. Stopping at traffic lights does not necessarily mean you are legally parked.
No call, message or notification is worth risking a collision. Keeping your attention on the road protects you, your passengers and every other road user.
Contact us to discuss driving lessons suited to your needs.
