Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has partnered with the Sydney Swans Australian football team on a new social media campaign highlighting the dangers of driving while using a mobile phone.
Welcoming the Don’t Fly Blind campaign, Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Natalie Ward said it showed Swans players – Harry Cunningham, Callum Mills and Tom McCartin – attempt to perform general football activities while blindfolded.
“As you would expect, the blindfold prevents the players from performing tasks that would usually be second nature to professional athletes,” Mrs Ward said.
“If you look at your phone while driving for two seconds you may as well be wearing a blindfold because at 60 kilometres per hour you are driving blind for 33 metres,” she said.
“Trying to catch a footy while blindfolded may result in being harmlessly hit by the ball, but holding and using your phone while driving can have life-threatening consequences.
Mrs Ward said that in the past 10 years there had been over 20 deaths and more than 300 people injured in crashes on NSW roads that occurred when someone was using a mobile phone.
Harry Cunningham urged motorists to put their mobile phone away while driving.
“I hope that my involvement in this campaign helps people stop and think about how much of a difference even a few seconds taking your eyes off the road can make when they’re driving,” Mr Cunningham said.
“At the end of the day you’re putting yourself and other people around you at risk,” he said.
“Reduce the temptation by putting your phone away. It’s just not worth it.”
The 30-second Don’t Fly Blind campaign video, and sound, can be accessed at this PS News link.
