| skip to main content | skip to contact information | skip to main navigation |
365 Alive - Think Safety

It’s your call!

Car crash

If you use a mobile phone whilst driving you are 4 times more likely to crash.

Even if you are a careful driver you could be distracted by a phone call or text message and in that split second lapse of concentration you could have a crash.  Your reactions are slower by around 50% when using a handsfree mobile than when compared with normal driving.

Is the call more important than your life?

Did you know that using any type of mobile, whether it is handsfree or handheld means your reaction times are worse than those driving under the influence of alcohol?  

Whilst driving you could:

  • divert calls to your messenger service and check your calls every couple of hours if you are on a long journey
  • have the phone in the car but not take any calls, you can pull over when it is safe to do so and return any urgent calls
  • let people know you do not answer calls whilst driving - arrange a code for any urgent calls, for example ask them to call three times for a set number of rings, this way you can pull over when it is safe to do so and return their call.
  • if you need to make a call pull over at a safe place (not the hard-shoulder)

Is the answer to your question really that important?

As a caller you play an important role.  You don’t want to distract the person you are calling from their driving and increase their risk of crashing. 

If you call a person on their mobile check that they are not driving, if they are driving:

  • say you’ll call them later and hang up
  • ask them to return your call when they have stopped driving

Never read or send a text whilst driving, it’s just not worth the risk

Not only is texting whilst driving illegal it is also very dangerous your attention is diverted to your phone and you are not concentrating on your driving, which greatly increases your chance of crashing.

Following the advice below for our tips on driving in the cold snap.

Plan your journey

  • Check the local and national weather forecasts.
  • Listen to local and national radio for travel information.
  • Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive.
  • Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, food and boots and a torch. In snowy conditions, take a spade.
  • Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer.
  • Clear the roof of your car of large amount of snow.

If you get into trouble

  • Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
  • On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone, because the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily. If you have a mobile phone, make sure you give them the number of the closest marker post to you on the hard shoulder.
  • Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snow ploughs. To ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
  • If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you.

When roads are icy or slushy 

  • It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions that on a dry road. Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
  • Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
  • Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.
  • To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
  • If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.

Please have a safe journey.

Email to a friend  |  Email about the campaign
PhoneCommunity Safety Helpline
08000 325999
Oxfordshire County Council logo