New safety campaign alerts drivers to dangers of mobile phone use

A campaign has been launched urging drivers not to touch their mobile phone at the wheel, prompted by the recent rise in traffic accidents.
“Post-COVID, people are back on the road and statistically we are seeing an increase in accidents and collisions occurrences from mobile phone distractions,” a Transport Malta spokesperson said.

An awareness campaign against drink driving is being added in the lead-up to Christmas and the New Year.
“Drunk driving and mobile phone usage while driving do not happen on a seasonal basis but they are critical issues that happen every single day of the year,” the spokesperson said.
A 2019 European survey, carried out by the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation (an observatory dedicated to changing driver behaviour), showed that 97 per cent of European drivers consider it dangerous to send and read SMSs or emails while driving, yet, one in four do it anyway.
75% of Europeans use their smarphones at the wheel
A survey carried out by the same foundation this year showed that 75 per cent of Europeans use their smartphones at the wheel. Of these, 66 per cent use the phone, 25 per cent read or send SMSs, 15 per cent participate in remote work meetings and nine...