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RoadPeace press release
26 February 2007
RoadPeace asks all mobile phone companies to text their
customers about the new law
RoadPeace, the national charity for road traffic victims, has
asked all mobile phone companies to send a text to each of its
customers about the change in the law from 27 February 2007. From
this date, the penalty for using a mobile phone for driving
increases from a fine of £30 to £60, and a 3 penalty
point licence endorsement.
RoadPeace supports bereaved and injured road victims, and its
members are keen to prevent further tragedies affecting other
families. Texting each mobile phone user is a simple act that could
have a huge impact on road safety.
In response to RoadPeace's request to the Department for
Transport (DfT) to press phone companies on the issue, they were
told that 'the risk was too high as to when the customer would
receive the message from the mobile operator. If this happened to
be when the customer was driving or crossing the road then it would
be a dangerous distraction and the Department could potentially be
implicated'.
RoadPeace says that this seems to imply that the DfT believes
that sending a text message, in itself, is dangerous!
In response to RoadPeace's request, Virgin Mobile was the most
supportive, phoning back to say that they were keen to work on the
issues, but 'it would be difficult to text each of their 3 million
customers. They were working on other ways of getting the message
through to customers.
A Vodafone spokeswoman said in an emailed reply 'our schedule
for customer communications is worked out many months in advance
and I'm afraid we simply would not have enough time to secure the
required approvals'.
T-Mobile said that 'unfortunately this is not something T-Mobile
will be able to support as such blanket messages does not fit with
the type of communications that we believe our customers want. We
are however extensively communicating the change in legislation
through our regular communications channels'.
Orange did not respond to the request.
RoadPeace member, Paul Newman, whose sister was killed by a
driver on a mobile phone last year in Manchester, said 'The phone
companies are selling a product that is dangerous, and has been
proven to have killed and injured people, including their own
customers. Have they asked their customers if they would like a
safety message? Personally, I would feel reassured by a company
that took an interest in my safety and wellbeing'.
Ends
Note to editors
RoadPeace is a specialist national charity for road traffic
victims, supporting bereaved and injured victims, and working to
prevent further tragedies.
Set up in1992, RoadPeace's first ever helpline for road crash
victims - 0845 4500 355 - is a lifeline offering vital information,
advice and support, on 7 days from 9am - 9pm, from someone with
expertise, empathy and understanding. This is supported by free
literature written from the road victims' perspective - about the
investigation, prosecution and civil damages claims.
Long-term support and friendship are offered through mailings,
local groups, annual events and many joint acts and ways of
remembrance. One of these is the World Day of Remembrance for Road
Traffic Victims, which was initiated by RoadPeace in 1993 and
adopted by the United Nations in October 2005.
RoadPeace works worldwide with victim and other relevant
organisations and international institutions, and collaborates with
the World Health Organisation and United Nations.
http://www.roadpeace.org
Contacts
RoadPeace office
Brenda Puech, Campaigns and Communications Coordinator 020 8838
5102
Amy Aeron-Thomas, RoadPeace Director 07905 847 917
Brigitte Chaudhry, RoadPeace founder 020 8964 1800
info@roadpeace.org
RoadPeace, PO Box 2579, London NW10 3PW
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