Distracted driving - TAC - Transport Accident Commission

How to switch your phone to 'Do Not Disturb' when driving

Three simple steps

Click on settings.
Scroll down to 'Do Not Disturb' and switch it on.
Get to where you’re going safely.

Learn more with Moana Hope

Turn your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' when driving and turn off the temptation.

Activate 'Do Not Disturb' when driving so when people try and reach you, you can let them know you’re driving. Then get back to them as soon as you arrive safely. Personalise your do not disturb message and set it up so that calls can still come through from favourites, in case there’s an emergency.

Apple devices

The iPhone 'Do Not Disturb' feature has a range of unique capabilities. It can be activated when your iPhone senses driving motion, through in-car Bluetooth, or Siri. You can even personalise your 'Do not Disturb' message and set it up so that calls can still come through from favourites, in case there’s an emergency.

Android devices

Android phones allow users to turn on 'Do Not Disturb' on via your phone’s notification shade. You can also use the Google Play store to download a third-party app. You can even set your phone up so that calls can still come through from favourites, in case there’s an emergency.

Drivers are 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are texting, browsing or emailing on their mobile phone
1/3 of drivers admit to using their phone illegally while driving
1/3 of pedestrians admit to looking at their phone while crossing the road¹
Distractions include more than just mobile phones, GPS devices, passengers or eating can also stop you from focusing on the road
Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk. At 50kmh you will travel 28m in 2 seconds, that’s about the length of a cricket pitch
The penalty for using your mobile device while driving is a $545 fine and 4 demerit points.

Why distractions are dangerous

Driving distracted can:

Reduce your reaction time.
Make it hard to maintain a consistent speed leading to slowing down or speeding up at inappropriate times.
Lead to you drifting from your lane or onto the shoulder of the road.
Mean you miss traffic light changes, either sitting at lights once they are green or driving through as they change to red.
Cause you to miss seeing pedestrians, people on bicycles or those on motorcycles.
Result in you not seeing traffic slowing in front of you which increases the risk of nose to tail crashes.

¹http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/about-tac-surveys/road-safety-and-marketing-surveys

How to switch your phone to 'Do Not Disturb' when driving

Three simple steps

Click on settings.
Scroll down to 'Do Not Disturb' and switch it on.
Get to where you’re going safely.

Learn more with Moana Hope

Turn your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' when driving and turn off the temptation.

Apple devices

Android devices

Drivers are 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are texting, browsing or emailing on their mobile phone
1/3 of drivers admit to using their phone illegally while driving
1/3 of pedestrians admit to looking at their phone while crossing the road¹
Distractions include more than just mobile phones, GPS devices, passengers or eating can also stop you from focusing on the road
Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk. At 50kmh you will travel 28m in 2 seconds, that’s about the length of a cricket pitch
The penalty for using your mobile device while driving is a $545 fine and 4 demerit points.

Why distractions are dangerous

Driving distracted can:

Reduce your reaction time.
Make it hard to maintain a consistent speed leading to slowing down or speeding up at inappropriate times.
Lead to you drifting from your lane or onto the shoulder of the road.
Mean you miss traffic light changes, either sitting at lights once they are green or driving through as they change to red.
Cause you to miss seeing pedestrians, people on bicycles or those on motorcycles.
Result in you not seeing traffic slowing in front of you which increases the risk of nose to tail crashes.

¹http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/about-tac-surveys/road-safety-and-marketing-surveys

'Do not disturb' while driving

How to switch your phone to 'Do Not Disturb' when driving

Three simple steps

Click on settings.
Scroll down to 'Do Not Disturb' and switch it on.
Get to where you’re going safely.

Learn more with Moana Hope

Turn your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' when driving and turn off the temptation.

Apple devices

Android devices

The facts - distractions and driving

Drivers are 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are texting, browsing or emailing on their mobile phone
1/3 of drivers admit to using their phone illegally while driving
1/3 of pedestrians admit to looking at their phone while crossing the road¹
Distractions include more than just mobile phones, GPS devices, passengers or eating can also stop you from focusing on the road
Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk. At 50kmh you will travel 28m in 2 seconds, that’s about the length of a cricket pitch
The penalty for using your mobile device while driving is a $545 fine and 4 demerit points.

Why distractions are dangerous

Driving distracted can:

Reduce your reaction time.
Make it hard to maintain a consistent speed leading to slowing down or speeding up at inappropriate times.
Lead to you drifting from your lane or onto the shoulder of the road.
Mean you miss traffic light changes, either sitting at lights once they are green or driving through as they change to red.
Cause you to miss seeing pedestrians, people on bicycles or those on motorcycles.
Result in you not seeing traffic slowing in front of you which increases the risk of nose to tail crashes.

¹http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/about-tac-surveys/road-safety-and-marketing-surveys

How you can reduce distractions

Ways you can reduce distractions while driving:

Use the 'Do Not Disturb' While Driving function on your phone. Alternatively, put your phone on silent or keep it out of reach when driving.
Set your GPS or music playlist prior to starting your car and ensure the device is in an approved holder.
If you do need to use your phone, pull over safely or wait until your journey has finished.
Unplug your headphones so you can hear approaching traffic – especially if you're a bike rider or pedestrian.
Let calls go to voicemail and don't respond to any message you receive.

If you’re using Bluetooth while driving (handsfree does not mean risk free):

Use it on a handsfree device/mounting – while this is practical it still carries risk
Use it only for navigation (enter the destination before you drive) or as a music source (set it up before you drive).

When you contact someone who is driving, you can help keep them safe.

Consider the following:

If you are know someone is driving, it is safest not to call or text them.
Try to avoid long phone conversations with someone while they're driving. Ask them to call you back or offer to call them back when they're free to speak.
If you do talk to someone who is driving, keep it brief.

What we’re doing about distracted driving

Mobile phone detection technology

A trial to detect people using mobile phones while driving was launched in July 2020. The cameras will also be able to spot other dangerous driver behaviour including drivers who fail to wear a seatbelt in a boost for road safety and will be able to operate from anywhere, in all conditions, 24 hours a day. If introduced, the new technology will play a crucial role in reducing road trauma and saving lives on Victorian roads by helping to change irresponsible driver behaviour. Find out more on the Cameras Save Lives website.

Distractions on roads

We're working to cut down on road sign clutter, so that roadside communications aren't competing with each other and distracting drivers. As part of the Towards Zero Action Plan, we’re also continuing to explore technology and apps that can help reduce distractions while driving, such as the Road Mode app which automatically responds to calls for you.