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Phone giant O2 backs our bid to stop drivers using mobiles ; MOBILE FIRM WANTS END TO DANGEROUS HABIT AT WHEEL EXCLUSIVE [Ulster Region] [Sunday Mirror (England)](Sunday Mirror (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) BRITAIN'S largest mobile phone operator is backing the Sunday Mirror's battle to stop drivers using phones at the wheel. O2, which has more than 23 million customers, pledged its support in the wake of our series of articles on horrific accidents caused by the practice. A spokesman said: "O2 supports the Drive Phone Smart campaign. We want an end to the dangerous situations that can arise when motorists use their phones. "We have information on our website advising customers how to keep in touch and travel safely." More than 290 people a year are killed and at least another 200 seriously injured because of drivers distracted at the wheel. Mobile users are FOUR TIMES more likely to crash and the accidents they cause have risen every year since 2009. Road safety campaigners say annual phone deaths will outstrip drink-driving fatalities by the end of 2015. BAN The Sunday Mirror wants mobile users treated more like drinkdrivers. This would mean an automatic one-year ban and six penalty points for mobile use instead of the current three. We also want to see fines for these lawbreakers hiked from Pounds 100 to a minimum of Pounds 1,000 for a first-time offender. The campaign has already been backed by victims' families. Jennifer Jamieson, 65, told of her heartbreak at losing son Mark McHale, 46, and his wife Tamsie, 43, who were crushed when an HGV toppled onto their car on the M62 two years ago. Lorry driver Ethan Roberts, 44, was later jailed after a court heard he was texting his girlfriend. Jennifer said: "They died for the sake of a text. It isn't worth it. Two families are still trying to come to terms with this tragic and needless loss. For a professional driver to do something like this is still unbelievable to all of us." Victims will soon meet Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to try to crack down on the habit. Our campaign is also backed by motoring organisations, including the AA, Brake and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. AA president Edmund King said: "We fully support the campaign. It is a real problem. The longer it goes on, the more it becomes almost accepted. "We must address it now. Drivers would not consider drinking beer at the wheel. Driving while using a phone should be considered just as socially unacceptable." A passenger who filmed a bus driver texting at the wheel in London agreed. Matt Powell, 30, said: "He was taking his eyes off the road for up to 10 seconds at a time even though it was really busy and the weather was terrible. "It's not acceptable. There were about 40 to 45 people on board and he was putting them at risk." A Department of Transport spokesman said: "We increased the fine for mobile use to Pounds 100 last August and we are reviewing its effectiveness." Shadow roads minister Richard Burden added: "The Sunday Mirror should be commended for taking up this issue. It's vital penalties for drivers are appropriate for the seriousness of the offence." [email protected] WE DEMAND: 1 FINES of at least Pounds 1,000 rather than the current Pounds 100 for a first-time offender. 2 SIX penalty points rather than the current three. 3 A ONE-YEAR driving ban for anyone who is caught using a phone while driving. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |