RoadWise committees across the South West and Peel regions have banded together to drive home the message the phone call can wait.
Committees from the cities of Bunbury and Mandurah and shires of Collie, Dardanup and Bridgetown-Greenbushes have joined with police to crack down on drivers who text or talk on the phone while driving.
Using the slogan ‘M8 the call can W8’, the campaign has expanded from just two local governments from last year’s campaign, which resulted in a positive response from motorists.
The message of the campaign, which begins on October 10 and continues until November 27, is for drivers to turn off their mobile phones when driving.
“Drivers who use their mobile while behind the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident causing serious injury,” Bunbury RoadWise committee chairwoman and Bunbury councillor Betty McCleary said.
“Mobile phone use while driving is not exclusive to younger generations with people of all ages taking risks by either texting or talking on the phone.
“Our message is that it is not the end of the world if you miss one call or a text message, but it could be the end of your way of life if you are distracted by your phone and are involved in a crash.
“We want to spread the message and ask that drivers turn off their phones before driving.”
Bumpers stickers with the ‘M8 the call can W8’ slogan will be available across the regions to help drive home the message.
