Doherty calls for hands-free advice 30.08.07

A DONEGAL senator has called on mobile phone retailers to inform buyers who drive about the need for hands-free kits. Senator Pearse Doherty made his call as Courts Service figures revealed that 6,171 drivers have yet to appear in court for using mobile phones while driving.

As Sinn Féin transport and road safety spokesperson, Senator Doherty also called on motorists to take “greater driving responsibility". "It is common sense that using a mobile phone while driving will impair one's driving ability. It is both distracting and downright dangerous," he said. He referred to a British Medical Journal study showing that the use of a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of a serious collision four-fold. “While drivers need to take responsibility for their actions I would also urge the mobile

phone industry to proactively ensure that all driving customers are informed of hands free mobile phone head sets and are offered them in any mobile phone purchase," said Senator Doherty. “The practice of operating a hand-held mobile phone while driving is dangerous and belated legislation, namely the Road Traffic Bill 2006, was put in place last year to outlaw it. "Drivers need to be educated that with the use of easy-to-use headsets, road accidents can be prevented and ultimately lives can be saved."

Return to > News