Vox Pop

By Michelle Norton

On August 13th 2009 Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced that there would be a change to the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule.

From 1st November onwards drivers will not be able to text or make calls while driving. The repercussions for those that ignore the new law are an $80 fine and 20 demerit points.

The rule also contains 23 other changes based on, “small and technical changes to improve road safety, clarify existing laws, reduce compliance costs, assist enforcement, and improve traffic flow”.

The New Zealand Herald spoke with the Serious Crash Unit investigator for Waitemata who witnessed a driver crash into a motorbike head-on after crossing the centre line while talking on his mobile.

The motorcyclist died, however the driver was not injured. Mr Kearns welcomes the change as he states, “from my point of view it is very positive”.

The Law change followed statistics that between 2003 and 2008 there were 482 crashes resulting in injuries and 25 fatal crashes
in New Zealand with mobile or other telecommunications as a factor.

The Land Transport Authority suggests drivers turn cell phones off to minimise distractions. Drivers will be able to continue to use hands-free sets as it is acknowledged that mobiles may be needed for business. An article in Science Daily however suggests that hands-free kits may not be any safer than hand-held mobiles and may in fact be even more distracting.

Yoko Ishigami, who presented the paper, argues that, “People tend to be over confident with hands-free and drive faster”. She also claims that, “Some studies found drivers were very cautious when using a hand-held phone”. People may pull over to the side of the road to have a conversation.

Nonetheless, New Zealand is now added to the long list of countries, including Australia, France and Malaysia that have banned cell phone use while driving. Transport Minister Steven Joyce says that a 10 year road safety review will be soon be available for consultation.