Red thumbs lifesaving message for motorists on mobiles
TODAY is Red Thumb Day in Mayo.
The My Red Thumb campaign is designed to raise awareness of the risks of distraction from using a mobile phone while driving.
The aim is to reach as many road users as possible and to encourage people to change their habits. The idea is simple – simply promote the lifesaving My Red Thumb message: do not use a phone when driving.
Just like last year, you can show your support by painting your thumb red (or any other colour/pattern that you prefer) – the brighter and wackier the better; anything that will intrigue other people enough to ask you about it so that you can then tell them all about the campaign. One way to spread the word is by posting thumb selfies on social media.
We can all recall people putting a string on their finger to remind themselves of something. The original idea for the campaign was introduced in America to remind a driver not to use his phone while driving through painting his thumb nail red. It meant every time he saw his red thumb he was reminded of the message.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal car crashes in Ireland. Mobile phone use while driving became a penalty points offence in September 2006 and is now the second highest penalty point offence in Ireland after speeding. A total of 30,524 offences have been recorded for 2014.
Said Mayo road safety officer Noel Gibbons: “While the campaign was launched in response to a local need, it is clear that the message is transferable to other areas and it is hoped that the campaign will continue to spread, as it has continued to take off in the USA.
“Drivers who use their phone are four times more likely to crash, injuring or killing themselves and/or other people. They are much less aware of what is happening on the road around them and fail to see road signs as well as failing to maintain proper lane position and steady speed, according to research.”
See https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roadsafety-Mayo-Roadsafety-Mayo/136036449842748