The AA fully supports the Police cracking down on drivers using their cellphones this week.

The week-long Police blitz will be targeting drivers talking or texting on non-hands free phones, three years on from it becoming illegal.

“Unfortunately, you do not have to be on the road for long to see a driver with their phone help up to their ear or texting,” says AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

“Law-abiding motorists are getting sick and tired of seeing other drivers flouting the law and putting them at risk.”
Numerous studies have shown that using a cellphone when you are driving increases your crash risk by as much as 400% and the people still using their phones need to realise this.

“The AA believes that a lot of drivers still using their mobile don’t realise how risky it is.

“When you are talking or texting on your phone you are less focussed on what is happening on the road around you, you are more likely to miss seeing something and your reaction time will be slower.

“This Police blitz will hopefully get some of those still using their mobile to realise it’s not worth the risk and leave the phone alone for good.”

Drivers illegally using their cellphone are not just putting themselves and others at much greater risk, but also face an $80 fine and 20 demerit points if caught. The AA believes that if some drivers continue to flout the law, then increasing the penalties for the offence should be considered.

“There is simply no excuse for a driver to be on their phone illegally. If you simply have to talk or text someone, pull over.”

For those that find it difficult to not reply to a text when they are driving, the AA endorses the Drivesafe service which is free for Vodafone customers. If you text ‘Drive on’ to 760 your phone will then automatically send a reply to incoming texts letting the person know you are currently driving and will get back to them later. Once you have finished driving, text ‘Drive off’ to 760 and your phone reverts to normal.

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
Communications adviser
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. (04) 931 9991
M. 027 703 9935
Email: dthomsen@aa.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.