Hands-free kits offer to promote safe driving

SIGNIFICANT savings can be made on hands-free mobile phone sets in Limerick this month, thanks to a campaign by the gardaí and Limerick Chamber to reduce road accidents and carnage.

They have negotiated discounted prices on hand-free sets with 02, Carcom, Carphone Warehouse, eMobile, Meteor and Vodafone.

The promotion will run until December 14.

Gardaí say one in five motorists use hand-held phones while driving while a further one in 10 admit to texting while behind the wheel.

Research shows the driver reaction pattern for people using mobiles to be 30% slower than normal — with the result they are far more likely to be involved in accidents.

Inspector Paul Reidy, who heads the Limerick traffic corps, said the overriding objective of the promotion was to encourage more people to think safety.

While he stated gardaí would continue to rigorously enforce the law on mobile phones, he said it was hoped the initiative would have a positive impact on serious accidents.

People caught using mobile phones face fines of up to €2,000 and penalty points.

“To date this year there have been 14 fatalities and 21 serious injury collisions on Limerick roads. This is totally unacceptable and every road user out there is requested not to drive while using a mobile phone,” said Inspector Reidy. “If a driver must use a mobile, always use a hands-free device.”

Limerick Chamber chief executive Maria Kelly said her organisation was very pleased to help co-ordinate the initiative.

“People have the opportunity to purchase these products not only for themselves, but also as Christmas gifts. It is a novel way to help keep your loved ones safe over the holidays and in the months that follow,” Ms Kelly said.

limerickchamber.ie