Drivers caught using their mobile phones

RISK TO OTHERS: A Masterton motorist is snapped talking on a cellphone while driving. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Wairarapa drivers are taking serious risks by using cellphones as they head through the region.

Following an Official Information Act request, the Times-Age was supplied information which shows 43 drivers in the region were issued with infringement notices in 2012 for either talking or texting while driving.

One afternoon, in a 20-minute period on Opaki Rd, Times-Age staff witnessed five drivers talking on their mobile phone.

Police suspect many nose-to-tail and crossing the centre line accidents are caused by people using their cellphones.

Clause 23 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 was amended in November 2009 placing a ban on the use of mobile phones by drivers.

While driving a vehicle, the drivers may not make, receive or terminate a telephone call, or create, read or send a text message or email. A driver can not view, create or send photographs while driving or communicate in anyway using a cellular phone.

The only exception is if the mobile phone is hands-free and mounted or the driver is calling 111 or *555 and it is unsafe or impractical for them to pull over to the side of the road and stop.

Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said evidence showed using a mobile phone while driving affected driving performance and substantially increased the risk of crashing because of driver distraction.

A recent Western Australian study showed the risk of crashing increased "fourfold" when drivers used their cellphones, Ms Watson said.

"There has been a steady rise in the number of people texting while driving," she said.

Ms Watson said part of the reason people ignored the rules was because they thought it wouldn't happen to them.

"They think they won't get caught and they won't crash," she said.

Drivers needed to understand if they were to kill someone while texting they could be facing serious charges including manslaughter, she said.

"Most people don't realise that if you kill someone while texting and driving, you will probably go to prison.

"The responsibility is to yourself, your passengers and the people around you to concentrate on your driving, not other things such as who is texting you and what's being said on Facebook," Ms Watson said.