Editorial: Make the message hit home

Katie Holland.

Regular Rotorua drivers may not be surprised to hear police say the issue of people using cell phones while driving is worse than ever.

We've all seen drivers chatting away, many quite blatantly, with one hand on the steering wheel and only half their attention on the road.

Or there's those with their eyes down towards their laps, thinking no one realises they are texting, checking Facebook or reading their emails.

Even so, 12 people spotted talking on their phones on a busy Rotorua street in just an hour is still pretty startling.

It's just a shame police were only able to pull over and ticket two of them.

The law prohibits people making, receiving or terminating a telephone call (just let it ring!), creating, sending or reading a text message or email (yes, even a quick glance!), creating, sending or viewing a video message or communicating "in a similar or any other way". Basically, going anywhere near your phone.

It seems the message has not got through that using cell phones can be just as dangerous as speeding or drink driving. So what can be done about it?

Perhaps lawmakers could start by reviewing the penalties for those caught using their phones while driving.

A fine of $80 and 20 demerit points does not seem an appropriate response for something police say can lead to significant crashes.

If drivers are becoming blase then why not shake them up a bit?

Of course, increasing the severity of a penalty won't work as a deterrent unless people know about it.

Any increased penalty would need to be accompanied by an advertising and education campaign to make sure people knew the consequences were getting a bit more serious.

Hitting drivers where it hurts - in their pocket and/or the risk of losing their license - may make some think twice before answering that next call.