Smartphone, Stupid Driver

I will admit that I am an expert on the consequences of failure to use hands free technology. I looked up, while tooling along the high street, right into the eyes of a policeman. I had my damn phone clamped to my head. It cost me a simple £60 fine and back then, attracted no points. Nowadays however, and I took this on board good and proper when the penalty changed, it is as punished as a single speeding offence and garners three points or one fourth of a ban under totting-up. But get this, if you are a professional driver say a cabbie, delivery dude or anyone at all using a vehicle as part of your work, then the penalty is SIX points or twice-and-they-ban-you!
And what with Parrot being industry leaders in Bluetooth technology, it is of course deeply in their vested interests to prod the UK populace into action from apathy and provoke them into safer driving habits. In a deeply open way, rather than as Cunning Ruse, they have latched upon recent research by the AA. Here’s the news item Talk Audio was sent:
Parrot to run a ‘Smart’ campaign
Parrot, the market leader in installed Bluetooth hands-free car kits, is running a communications campaign to emphasise the consequences of using a mobile phone behind the wheel. The campaign follows publication of research highlighting that the advice about using mobile phones whilst driving is not getting through.
Illustrating this, recent research conducted by the AA has shown that more than 170,000 motorists per year in England and Wales are caught using their mobile phone whilst driving. This currently attracts a CU80 penalty, a £60 fine and 3 penalty points, but a current Government consultation process may lead to these being increased. Whilst the fine has its own direct financial implications, offenders can also expect a sharp increase in their insurance premiums at renewal, rising by up to 32% and in some cases, companies may even refuse insurance forcing drivers to seek cover elsewhere. AA Spokesman Ian Crowder said ‘Insurers are taking mobile phone offences very seriously. Their opinion is a motorist might break a 30mph speed limit without noticing but no one sends a text message, email or makes a phone call behind the wheel by accident’.
In light of this and other published research, Parrot are running a communications campaign starting in September, designed to highlight the consequences of using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel of a car. Targeting key locations such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester and Watford, {Do they mean ME? Ed.} the campaign will aim to positively impact local drivers encouraging them to think about their driving habits and seeks to encourage those who make calls from their vehicle to use a one of Parrot’s voice activated hands-free car kits.
Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars and is globally recognised for its expertise in the fields of mobile connectivity and multimedia around Smartphones. Parrot’s product ranges include fully installed car kits that are integrated with the car’s speakers and a convenient portable range. Advanced Voice Recognition software is in many products in the Parrot range, allowing drivers to make or receive calls without touching their phone. Parrot products work with all brands of phones and with the widest compatibility and free software updates, they aim to have a solution for every driver.
Parrot has also made recent innovations in response to the increase in use of Smartphones for social networking and texting whilst driving. These include the integration of a service called ‘˜TextFriendly’ which enables the driver to use verbal commands to manage their SMS, e-mail and social media.
Working with the Media Agency Group, the communications campaign entitled ‘Smart Phone Stupid Driver’ will be delivered through a range of media including radio, petrol station forecourts and other outdoor and online channels and will point consumers towards the Parrot Certified Installers network. This network gives customers the opportunity to purchase a Parrot hands-free car kit with a full installation service from one of the 450 local Certified Installers situated across the UK and Ireland. The installation service offers reassurance that the hands-free car kit will be fitted professionally by a specialist to encourage drivers to avoid breaking the law and more importantly offering a safer driving experience.