A ROAD SAFETY officer in Mayo is supporting a Canadian campaign to get Irish road users to look away from their crotches.

‘Crotches can Kill’ is part of the province of Alberta’s own new Fatal Four campaign aimed at tackling speeding, drink-driving, not wearing seat-belts – and using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Noel Gibbons, the road safety officer for Mayo, says the campaign tackles a real problem on the roads.

With these dark mornings and dark evenings it’s easy to spot the motorists with the mobile phone left on their laps as they drive, and their cars are illuminated by their phones receiving text messages and phone calls causing a distraction.

“It is all well and good looking at this and saying ‘that’s OK, it won’t happen to me’.

“Anyone who drink-drives, speeds, fails to wear seat-belts or uses their mobile while driving could end up in hospital or the mortuary, or worse, force someone else to be in hospital or mortuary.”

The campaign reminds motorists that every time you check that phone in your lap, your attention strays from the road for five seconds.

New rules, which came into effect on May 1 this year, mean anyone caught texting or “accessing information” on their phones will face a mandatory court appearance and a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence.

This will rise to a maximum of €2,000 for a second offence, and a possible three-month jail sentence, along with a €2,000 fine, for three offences or more within a 12-month period.