Drivers urged to avoid distracted driving along N3 Toll Route with #bootyourmobile awareness campaign
Drivers continue to use their mobile devices while traveling at high speed.
Negligent driving and distractions are major causes of road crashes around the world; and it is no different on the N3 Toll Route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
N3 Toll Concession (N3TC), the company managing the N3 Toll Route, has noticed that numerous drivers continue to use their mobile devices while traveling at high speed on this national route.
“Although legislation is in place to deter the use of mobile devices while driving, it is extremely difficult to enforce.
“The only real solution, to successfully address these safety risks, is self-regulation – people taking individual responsibility to defer from using cellphones while being in the driver seat,” said Andy Visser, marketing manager at N3TC.
In Canada the risks were highlighted through driving simulators.
The simulators showed clearly how smartphones impede driving, reported Canadian publication, mobile enforcement.
“Tests have shown that you are four times more likely to crash when talking on a handheld, and 23 times more likely to crash when you text while driving.
“Using a device while driving is considered as dangerous as driving drunk,” siad Visser on the article.
It is with this reality in mind that N3TC, in partnership with the Arrive Alive digital team, have embarked on an awareness campaign to encourage drivers to #bootyourmobile.
“We hope to contribute to a mindset change in society,” added Visser.
“In recent years we have found the desire to be online and connected at all times significantly contributes to road crashes.
“Drivers not only talk, but perform a wide range of activities – texting, social networking, browsing on the internet and inputting navigational data – while at the wheel.
“These activities cause severe distraction which not only threaten drivers, but all road users, including passengers, cyclists, bikers and pedestrians.
“We strongly encourage you to end your conversations, before it ends a life,” says Johan Jonck of the Arrive Alive digital team.
N3TC appeals to every driver to speak out and take responsibility to stop this scourge.
“Ignoring the obvious dangers constitutes nothing less than willful blindness.
“You do so at your peril,” said Visser.
N3TC is responsible for a 415km stretch of the N3 between Heidelberg in Gauteng and Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal, known as the N3 Toll Route.
The N3 Toll Route traverses four of South Africa’s provinces – Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
