A new campaign has kicked off with the intention of raising awareness of the dangers of texting whilst driving.

Research carried out by the RAC Foundation in 2008 suggested texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs.

Following the findings, it was decided that more needed to be done to alert drivers to the dangers of being distracted by text messages whilst on the road.

The first part of the campaign has kicked off in Slough this week, with a giant billboard featuring a mobile phone with the text, “Hi darling, just about to run someone over,” put up in Ledgers Road.

Slough council reported that police managed to catch 32 drivers using mobiles phones during a recent one-day check on Farnham Road, highlighting the need for this new campaign. Drivers face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence for using mobiles while driving.

Alongside the RAC research in 2008, a new offence of causing death by careless driving came into force in August of that same year.

A term of imprisonment of up to five years can be implemented if motorists cause death by careless driving, including losing concentration due to avoidable distractions such as reading a text message, glancing at a map, eating and putting on make-up.

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