Surfing WA today launched its 2023 road safety campaign aimed at getting drivers off their phone – #NoTxtNoWrecks. The campaign, initially created in 2015, has been building momentum in the surfing community in recent years and this is expected to grow with the help of a $25,000 Community Project Grant from the Road Safety Commission.
Through the grant, social media content featuring high profile West Aussie surfers Mia McCarthy and Jacob Willcox will spread the #NoTxtNoWrecks message across a range of platforms. Surfing WA will also target the some 445,000 WA surfers at a series of events throughout the year.
Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane said chasing waves can mean many hours of driving and distraction, in particular mobile phones, is a big issue on the roads.
“Drivers, particularly young drivers, might find themselves tempted to send a text or check the surf without realising they are increasing their risk of a crash four-fold,” Mr Lane said.
“This grant helps us amplify this important road safety message. We have joined forces with three other states to remind surfers around the country, and others, about the importance of staying safe on our roads and avoiding distraction behind the wheel.”
Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner commended Surfing WA on the launch of the campaign and said he was pleased to see the Commission’s Community Project Grant being used to raise awareness of the dangers of distraction.
“We detected 44,000 incidents of drivers using their mobile phone during our recent three-month trial of new safety camera technology,” he explained. “This goes to show just how pervasive this issue is so it’s great to see Surfing WA taking a proactive approach in addressing this to keep not only the WA surfing community safe but the wider community too.”
For more information about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving visit our Mobile Phone and Distractions page.
Pictured: Minister for Road Safety the Hon. Paul Papalia, Surfing WA Road Safety Ambassador Jacob Willcox and Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane at the launch of the #NoTxtNoWrecks campaign.
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