That is why the “Don't [przy]call while driving” project is being launched. Its aim is to make drivers aware of the dangers associated with using a phone while driving a car. “I hope that the campaign will reach as wide an audience as possible, especially professional drivers, who spend a significant part of their time behind the wheel. Research shows that only 24% of road users use hands-free kits, while as many as 65% of surveyed drivers admit to using mobile phones while driving. These statistics are alarming. That is why, through initiatives of this kind, we want to change drivers’ awareness and their sense of responsibility behind the wheel,” said Mariusz Sokołowski, press spokesman for the Police Headquarters.

Research shows that more than 47% of surveyed drivers talk on the phone while driving, and as many as 65% read and write text messages. Such behaviour increases the risk of accidents fourfold. Despite this, the number of drivers breaking the law in this respect is rising.

Using mobile phones while driving significantly reduces concentration and thus makes it more difficult to travel safely on the road, endangering not only the driver and passengers but also other road users. Not everyone realises that merely glancing at a phone screen—even to check who is calling—takes a driver an average of 5 seconds. During that time, travelling at 80 km/h, the driver covers a distance equal to the length of a football pitch.

The Police Headquarters granted its honorary patronage to the “Don't [przy]call while driving” campaign. The project’s partners are Grupa LOTOS, Scanmed Multimedis, Corpoflota, LeasePlan and Liberty Ubezpieczenia.

Details on the campaign website.

KGP/ii