It has been great to see that the majority of Canterbury drivers are adhering to the new rules about the prohibition on using of hand-held cell-phones while driving, says Inspector Al Stewart, Canterbury Road Policing Manager.
"Canterbury Police have only issued 54 notices for drivers using hand-held cell-phones since the law came into force on 1 November, with most drivers either ignoring their phones or pulling over to answer them. However, drivers still need to ensure that they are pulling over in a safe place to answer their phones, especially on State Highways, narrow or windy roads, and if there is no safe place to pull over, simply letting it go to voicemail."
There have been several complaints recently of drivers pulling over to the side of the road where their vehicles are not fully off the roadway, creating a traffic hazard for other motorists.
"It is really important also that drivers comply with their general driving obligation to ensure that the way is clear for them to pull over, and that there are no other road users that could be harmed by their sudden change of direction, " he says.