How Phoney Are You?

Not all your friends do it. The majority of your mates rarely, if ever, use their phone while driving. And not all your friends are OK with it either.

Research says that around 70% of your mates hate phone use while driving. So, speak up if your friends are using their phone while driving and you don’t like it.

Your mum would rather you get home safe than risk crashing by answering her call. She’d worry even more if you ended up in the hospital. When you’re on your phone while driving, you’re distracted, react slower, and might miss something important on the road. If you really need to call her back, just pull over and park first. That way, you stay safe, and she doesn’t have to worry.

Talking on the phone while driving is more distracting than talking to a passenger. Phone conversations are mentally draining, meaning that drivers are less likely to adjust their speed or focus on hazards. Someone on the phone doesn’t know the driving situation and might keep the conversation intense, even when you need to focus. On the other hand, passengers can see what’s happening on the road and adjust the conversation. If you’re a passenger and the driver needs to use their phone, offer to do it for them. But never on loudspeaker or with the screen visible to the driver!

Yeah, you might be better with your phone than older generations, but that doesn’t mean you can juggle texting and driving safely. You might think you can manage both, but the truth is, you really can’t. Research shows that drivers who use their phones don’t realise how badly they’re driving. Your phone grabs way more of your attention than you think, which is super dangerous on the road. The car in front may suddenly stop and you won’t be able to react because you were distracted. You may get a fine for speeding or a red light camera because your full attention was not on the road. If you really want to be a great driver, pull over to use your phone, put it on silent, or just put it out of sight. Remember, using your phone while driving can distract you way more than you realize!

Anything that takes your mind, eyes, or hands off the road increases crash risk. Even small interactions can cause you to miss a turn, run a red light, or crash. For example, taking your eyes off the road for just 4 seconds at 100 km/h means you’ve travelled over 100 meters. So, pull over, silence your phone, and keep it out of sight. Even quick interactions can be risky for you, your passengers, and others on the road.