Angela Merkel John is very clear about the impact of a look at the road. Her 81-year-
The old mother, Audrey Dow, was on several streets near the Mackay city of Mackay's home in Queensland, and another car hit the head --Got in her car.
"Mom is the first to be affected.
"She had a serious internal injury," MS John Mekel told 7 . ". 30.
Her mother died in the hospital that night.
"She is a lovely lady, a grandmother with six children, very lively and passionate about life," MS John Mekel said . ".
Only when they find that another driver has been using his mobile phone at the time of the accident can the pain of the family get worse. "Devastating.
This is the worst thing ever.
If people can realize how dangerous it is, what will be the result, "MS John Mekel said.
Police say the danger of drinking
Driving and fatigue, driver distraction is a big cause of the accident.
Most driver distractions have to do with technology, but it can include anything from texting to adjusting the radio or simply interacting with other passengers.
Last fiscal year, new State Police fined 39,000 people for using their mobile phones while driving, 2,000 more than the previous year.
"Our highway patrol officers see people on two phones, people with large iPads, video display devices for watching movies," said Chief Inspector Phil Brooks . ".
"These drivers put themselves at risk when distracted, whether it's using the phone, eating, makeupup.
"Official records show that drivers are distracted by at least 10 per cent of fatal accidents and 10 per cent of serious injuries.
Research in Australia is limited, but a study by the Virginia Tech Institute of Transport in the United States has looked at the increased risks associated with different activities.
The study found that the risk of accidents increased: Professor Michael Reagan, a road safety researcher at the Australian Road Research Council, said the real figures in Australia are much higher than official figures.
"It's an understatement because when you look at what drivers have been watching for weeks, months or even years, as they have done recently in the US, he says: "They found that the crash was distracting, which was a contributing factor. ".
Psychologist and safety researcher Dr. Brady Scott
Parker from Sunshine Coast University is keen to educate young drivers on how to distract them, especially given their connection to the phone.
"We know that young drivers are growing up in a generation and mobile phones are a normal part of their day," she told 7 . ". 30.
"The education of our youngest driver, the new driver needs to be understood, and until now, the mobile phone has been with them.
We need to explain how dangerous it is to use your phone while you are driving.
Professor Regan says modern.
Car technology can solve this problem.
"The problem with these touch screen monitors is, first of all, they are not in a good position and may be too far away," he said, "Once you start interacting with them, sometimes you have to dive into two or three layers of the menu to find what you want. ".
He called for a star rating of the vehicle to assess the dispersion of the vehicle's screen display.
"If you want to turn on the air conditioner or find the nearest restaurant, if you can use your voice --
Technology exists.
"Stare at you on the road," he said . ".
Chief Inspector Brooks said police will continue to enforce the law, but everyone can play a role in security.
"Personal responsibility is excessive.
"The arched elements of road safety," he said . ".
"While the police are there every day to look for and prosecute criminals and write tickets, it can be done for personal responsibility. "For Dr Scott-
Parker, the answer is simple.
"Turn off your phone," she said . "
Subject: Accident, mobile-phones,driver-