Social Media Campaign Warns Of Dangers of Live Streaming While Driving

Serious Injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Southampton office are again supporting the annual #DontStreamAndDrive day today.

The online campaign, which is run entirely through social media, aims to tackle the issue of distracted driving through the means of live video streaming platforms such as Facebook Live, Snapchat and Twitter. By campaigning on the very same platforms, the project raises awareness of the dangers of live streaming video whilst driving.

Alarming statistics show that in 2017, three people were killed or seriously injured on British roads every hour. A National Safety Council white paper goes further, concluding that drivers using mobile phones have a tendency to look but not see, which is sometimes referred to as ‘inattentional blindness.’ The report estimates that distracted drivers can see up to 50 per cent less than an undistracted driver.

Whilst of course distracted driving is not something new, the use of live-streaming facilities whilst driving is on the rise, through recent popular TV shows.

The #DontStreamAndDrive campaign is run by Sgt Neil Dewson-Smyth, a police officer with the Cheshire Constabulary with 28 years' service.

He said: “Drivers who use a phone for live streaming or recording video whilst driving are likely to have reduced observation skills and reactions. Observations can become tunnelled and hazards in peripheral vision can go unseen.

"Driving requires 100 per cent attention with full control over visual, physical, auditory and cognitive skills. Studies show that drivers easily recognise visual and physical distractions, but cognitive distractions much less so.”

Even a short glance to read a notification can lead to tragedy, with people being seriously injured or even killed.

Expert Opinion

“Sadly, at Irwin Mitchell, we see the consequences of road traffic collisions, first-hand, every day. The use of mobile phones in cars, causing distractions for the driver, is something we are seeing more and more of in our work. The importance of raising awareness of the dangers of this is something that cannot be underestimated.

It is for this reason that we are proud to support the #DontStreamAndDrive campaign as it aims to help make our roads safer for everyone.” Claire Howard - Solicitor

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell will today be sharing the campaign via various online platforms, raising awareness around this crucial issue.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases 

For more information about the campaign, visit www.dontstreamanddrive.com