A date has been set for the second #DontStreamAndDrive day, an online campaign which aims to discourage people from recording or streaming videos while driving.
The 2017 awareness day will take place on 2 March and will once again be supported by Road Safety GB, whose chair has described the use of mobile phones by drivers as ‘irresponsible and selfish’.
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The day will once again be underpinned by a Thunderclap campaign in a bid to help raise awareness across social media. To date, the campaign has 89 backers, with a social reach of more than 1m.
It is hoped that this year’s campaign will go on to exceed the inaugural campaign in 2016, when it received 509 supporters, including Road Safety GB, with an estimated social reach of almost 2.5m people.
#DontStreamAndDrive is the brainchild of Sgt Neil Dewson-Smyth, known on Twitter as @SgtTCS.
He says that in the last year, the use of phones for streaming while driving has continued to increase across the world, adding that many drivers are oblivious to the dangers and risks this presents.
The awareness day will coincide with the planned legislation change that sees the penalties and FPN for using a phone while driving increase (from three to six points and £100 to £200).
Sonya Hurt, chair of Road Safety GB, said: “A significant road safety issue is the visual distraction of some drivers checking texts, emails or social media when on the move.
“To think that your message is more important than everyone else around you is irresponsible and selfish; we welcome the Government’s decision to double the penalties for drivers who choose to do this.
“The visual and cognitive distraction of live streaming whilst behind the wheel is extreme; this does not have a place on a crowded road network and Road Safety GB fully endorses this campaign to challenge this unacceptable behaviour.”
Want to know more about mobile phones and road safety?
Online library of research and reports etc – visit the Road Safety Knowledge Centre
Key facts and summaries of research reports – visit the Road Safety Observatory
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