Support grows for texting drivers to lose licence

St John Central Region Western Bay of Plenty territory manager Ross Clarke backs a call for automatic loss of licence for people caught using cellphones while driving. Photo/File

Some Bay of Plenty road safety advocates are backing a call for stiffer penalties for drivers caught using their cell phones while driving.

But the Government has discounted the likelihood of doing so because research showed less than 0.5 per cent of fatalities and injury crashes listed cell phone use as a contributing factor.

The NZ Transport Agency has listed cell phone use as its number one driver distraction, with drivers engaged in texting 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

Nationally, distracted drivers resulted in 22 deaths and 191 serious injuries in 2014.

Earlier this week Automobile Association Bay of Plenty chairman Terry Molloy told the Bay of Plenty Times the issue was a massive problem and there needed to be a stiffer penalty for offenders.

Mr Molloy's call came on the heels of Tauranga police busting a person playing Pokemon Go while driving.

St John Ambulance Western Bay of Plenty territory manager Ross Clarke said he believed automatic loss of licence would be a good idea but it also came down to more education.

"Anything that enhances road safety, St John's would absolutely endorse.... I think the large majority of the community would agree."

Caroline Perry, Brake's New Zealand director, said driving was the riskiest thing most people did regularly and required people's full concentration.

Ms Perry said the current penalties were not enough to deter some drivers from risking lives.

"We want to see tougher penalties - higher fines and more demerit points - to deter distracted driving. We also want to see a ban on the use of hands-free. Research proves it's the call that's distracting so use of hands-free is also dangerous."

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss said using a hand-held cell phone while driving may seem a minor offence but for some New Zealanders it would be the difference between life and death.

"Police are targeting drivers who flout the law and I support them in their efforts," he said.

But Mr Foss said it was important to view this issue in context. Between 2012 and 2014 cell phones were involved in less than 0.5 per cent of fatal and injury crashes, he said.

The Government was not currently considering increasing the penalties for using a hand-held cell phone while driving, he said.

"Road users also have a responsibility to drive in a way that keeps themselves - and others - safe."