Phones, makeup hazards for young drivers

Texting, talking on mobile phones and applying makeup while driving have been highlighted as common causes of car accidents involving young people.

Road accidents are the leading cause of death for the 15-29 age group, V8 Supercars community projects manager, Dominique Burgess, said while addressing students from Sydney Technical High School as part of a road safety program.

"The first thing I think about in this age group is mobile phones and texting," Burgess said.

"How many people have been in a car with somebody who has texted while they have been driving? A few."

Putting on makeup while driving was another hazard, she said.

"It's probably not going to be too much of an issue for the guys but people applying makeup in the car is a big problem.

"Other common distractions for young drivers are music, drinking and eating.

"All of these things contribute to you not being in total control of the car."

Supercars driver, Michael Caruso, also said seat position was important for safe driving.

"When you do have an impact you need to be far enough distance where the air bag in the car actually works," Caruso said.

"There's been a lot of cases where people sit too close or too far away."

Caruso also told young people taking to the road to get to schoolies destinations to remember to take regular breaks.

"The important thing to remember is to stop every couple of hours and swap drivers if you can," he said.

• Bookmark this page
• Share this article
  •  
  • facebook
  • slashdot
  • digg
  • Reddit
  • stumbleupon
  • linkedin
  • twitter
• Got more on this story? Email Computerworld
• Follow Computerworld on twitter

• Share
  Share this article

  •  google+
  • facebookfacebook
  • slashdotslashdot
  • diggdigg
  • RedditReddit
  • stumbleuponstumbleupon
  • linkedinlinkedin
  • twittertwitter
• print
• email
• Bookmark