Why are You Still Texting and Driving?
Currently, according to the department of transport and main roads Queensland, 70% of Queenslanders have admitted to using their mobile phone illegally while driving. Each year 29 people are killed and over 1000 are seriously injured on Queensland roads as a result of crashes where the driver at fault was distracted by their phone. Texting and driving have now been labelled as dangerous as drink driving, due to the high level of distraction.
If you are caught texting and driving, you can be fined $1029 and lose 4 demerit points, this including if you are stopped at traffic lights or even holding the mobile phone in your lap or hand. Learners and all provisional license holders have 4 points within a 12-month span, so if you are caught with a mobile phone on one of these licenses, you can no longer drive. In Queensland, if you are a Learner or P1 driver under 25, you may not use a handsfree system, wireless headset or a loudspeaker while driving. As well as it is proven too distracting for new drivers.
There have been many fatal stories of texting and driving but here are a few:
A Brisbane mother in the car with multiple family members, was stationary in her car while waiting to turn onto a main road in the sunshine coast. She said her life flashed before her eyes as an oncoming vehicle veered across the lane. The driver of this car was clearly seen on his phone. The driver was estimated to be travelling 100km an hour in an 80km zone. Her boys were shaking, crying and hugging each other from the traumatic incidents
“If he hadn’t looked up in time we wouldn’t be here”
A mother of a 20-year-old girl who crashed her car and died after using her mobile phone has warned everyone not to do the same. She said she felt like a nagging mum telling her late daughter Brooke to stop texting and driving, but it just goes to show how important it can be. The 20-year-old was travelling around 100m an hour was she lost control and slammed into a tree. She was texting a client to make sure they were turning up for an appointment.
“I would’ve been someday helping her organize her wedding, instead I had to organize her funeral.”
A Perth woman admitted to texting her boyfriends while driving, seconds before losing control, of her car, leading to a car crash that took the life of her friend. Aine was 25 when her car veered across four lanes of a Perth motorway before being T-boned by a Ute, killing her friend Sarah. Aine went on trial for dangerous driving that caused death, with the final decision being made was that she had become distracted by texting.
“It all happened so fast; it was really frightening.”
“I was replying to his messages. I know I probably shouldn’t have, but I did.”
We are Here to Help
At TPIL Lawyers, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers specialise in personal injury claims and have a deep understanding of the legal framework and regulations. We are well-versed in advocating for our clients’ rights and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Please contact us on 1800 958 498 or help@tpil.com.au for an obligation free and confidential discussion.
