Film asks: What sort of distracted driver are you?

Hertfordshire’s road safety team has produced a film highlighting the distractions they spotted during a month-long monitoring exercise across the county’s roads.
 
RSOs visited nine sites across the county keeping an eye out for distracted drivers. They spotted 236 people on hand-held mobile phones, 81 people texting, 44 people drinking hot drinks, 60 people eating breakfast and 32 people reading.

There were also numerous other distracted drivers including people rummaging in handbags and the glove compartment, and even people shaving, applying make up and opening their morning post.

The film, ‘What sort of distracted driver are you?’, features five characters: ‘Mascara Lara’, ‘Teatime Tina’, ‘Grooming Graham’, ‘Mobile Mark’ and ‘Reading Rita’.

Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said: "This is the second year that our road safety unit has carried out these checks. One stand out figure is that there’s a significant increase in ‘Mobile Marks’. It’s worrying to think that, for some people, a phone call or replying to a text message or email is more important than avoiding an accident.

"We hope that by carrying out this research and publicising the results people will think twice before doing anything other than driving while behind the wheel. The information will be shared with the police to help inform the areas they select for patrols.

"Cars are not cafes, offices or bathrooms. Driving is already a complex task – please don’t make it more complicated."

Click here to view the film on Youtube.
 
For further information contact Tom Shipp on 01992 555537.