A ROAD safety campaign focused on distracted driving has launched following new research that shows 80 per cent of WA motorists are using their phone behind the wheel.
Last year, 28 people were killed in inattention-related crashes – a 112 per cent increase on the previous five-year average.
The findings have prompted RAC to take action with a new road safety initiative titled Look Up.
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READ NOWIt features a spoken word video part-narrated by award-winning writer Gary Turk who is best known for his own Look Up video launched in 2014 and viewed more than 61 million times.
RAC advocacy and members executive general manager Patrick Walker said the campaign was prompted by the growth of distracted driving to epidemic levels.
“Distracted driving is fast becoming one of the leading causes of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and as technology evolves so too does the level of distraction in our cars,” he said.
“There is a myth this type of distraction is only a problem among younger drivers, however the issue affects all ages and is one of the most complex and devastating road safety challenges we currently face.
“Instead of letting our devices control us, we need to look up when we’re driving and focus on what’s most important, the safety of ourselves and those around us.”
Mr Turk said the message behind Look Up was simple.
“Real human connection and a strong sense of our surroundings is far more valuable than gazing at our smartphones,” Mr Turk said.
“The spoken word is an engaging and effective way to start a conversation and a memorable way to get people thinking about a subject like distraction.”
Visit www.rac.com.au/lookup.