Leave your phone alone!

Your phone can wait: No hands free, no phone calls, no exceptions – just drive

Using a mobile phone while driving significantly increases the risk of crashing. Drivers who use a mobile phone, whether it is hand-held or hands-free react more slowly, take longer to brake and longer to stop.

In fact, according to road safety charity Brake, studies show that a driver's reaction time when using a hands-free kit can be even slower than when drink driving.

As part of this week’s road safety campaign around mobile phone distractions, we want to increase awareness around the dangers of using your phone, including hands-free while driving. It is important that everyone is aware of Royal Mail’s policy applicable to all colleagues, whether they're driving a Royal Mail Group vehicle or their own vehicle for business use. 

Royal Mail Group policy expressly prohibits the use of mobile phones, PDAs or any other device including hands-free that may cause distraction while driving on behalf of the company.

Mobile phones and in-vehicle technology – Rule 149

You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You must not use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop.

Never use a hand-held microphone when driving. Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is far safer not to use any telephone while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later.

The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control of your vehicle because you’re distracted, and you can be prosecuted.

 

 

19 Aug 2019