Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding drivers to put their mobile phones down, after the latest observation survey recorded 29 motorists using their phones while driving.
The survey conducted in Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin, showed that there was no improvement to the mobile phone usage rate compared to an earlier survey conducted in April.
The survey also showed a 0.2% decrease in the combined seatbelt wearing rate in comparison to the April survey.
The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that this equated to 70 people not wearing a seatbelt.
“Whilst our combined seatbelt wearing rate of 98.9% is better than the state average (98%), it is disappointing to report that 11 more people were observed not wearing a seatbelt in comparison to the April survey.
“In a crash a person who is not restrained with a seatbelt will continue to travel forward at the speed the vehicle was travelling until something stops them. This could be the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen. Seatbelts save lives and prevent injuries,” said Melanie.
The observations surveys are conducted bi-annually in Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin and aim to measure, monitor and improve local seatbelt wearing rates and the number of drivers complying with mobile phone legislation.
There is an urban and highway location in each town with survey staff conducting the observations for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon at both locations.
The survey shows that the group most at risk were males. There were 14 male drivers observed using their mobile phone.
The next observation survey will be conducted in April 2018.
For further information, please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.