POLICE TARGET SEATBELT AND MOBILE PHONE OFFENCES
A 24-hour campaign aimed at mobile phone and seat belt offences throughout Tayside began today (Monday).
The national campaign, which begins at 7 am, is aimed at raising awareness about offences regarding travelling in a car, whether a driver or passenger, while not wearing a seat belt, or other suitable restraint and the use of mobile phones whilst driving.
Police officers will also enforce legislation where people choose to ignore the law.
During 2009, a total of 1084 were reported for failing to wear a seat belt, including 21 drivers of cars where a child was not suitably restrained. Irrespective of the inherent dangers in the event of a collision, the penalty for failure to wear a seat belt is a fixed penalty of 60.
In the same year, a total of 947 people were reported for using a mobile phone while driving and were given a conditional offer of fixed penalty with a 60 fine and three points.
The benefits of wearing a seabelt and not using a mobile phone are obvious and well-documented, as are the facts that doing so is illegal.
In the event of a collision, failure to wear a seat belt can result in consequences being far more serious than they would have been if those in the vehicle had been restrained. Serious injury or even death can occur where otherwise someone might have been able to walk away from a collision without suffering any serious harm had they worn a seatbelt.
Mobile phones are recognised as being a significant cause of distraction to drivers. If a driver is on the phone they are unable to give their full attention to the road. Such behaviour is dangerous and unacceptable and yet it persists.
Sergeant Watson Fraser, from Headquarters Road Policing Unit said: "The use of seat belts is one of the key factors in reducing the number of deaths on our roads over the course of many years. Put simply, they prevent drivers and passengers from being thrown around in, or thrown from, a vehicle in the event of a collision.
Second nature
"It should be second nature to put a belt on as soon as you get into a vehicle. If you don't then you may regret it. Please, no matter how long or short the journey, wear a seatbelt, don't risk it."
Sergeant Fraser continued: "Drivers should never be tempted to answer the phone when driving. No call is worth dying for. Drivers who need to use the phone should stop at the first safe opportunity.
"We recommend that people switch off before they drive off. If caught on the phone while driving, a cash penalty will follow along with three penalty points.
Drivers with hands free devices should remember that they too are liable to a cash penalty and three points if, as a result, they are not in proper control of their vehicle or have a full view of the road ahead.
Sergeant Fraser continued: "Road collisions and incidents can occur in fractions of a second. As such, we all have a responsibility to ensure that we do everything we possibly can as road users to be safe, responsible and minimise any risks.
"Drive safely, switch off your mobile phone and ensure that you have securely fastened your seatbelt before setting off. Ask yourself – Have You Clicked?"
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Weather for Kirriemuir
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
