Texting bays for drivers trialled on regional roads in WA

Texting bays that allow drivers to pull over and check their phones safely are being trialled in five locations on regional roads in Western Australia until April 28.

Five texting bays are being installed along the Forrest and South Western highways, identified by electronic signs.

Road Safety Commissioner Kim Papalia told the ABC that texting while driving was one of the biggest contributors to deaths on roads in the state.

‘There is a clear message that the text can wait until it is safe to check it… we do recognise that texting is an issue in this state and we’re taking active steps to see how we can mitigate that,’ he said.

Mr Papalia said the bays were sidings on the roads that gave people the opportunity to get out of traffic flow and off the road, park lawfully and then respond to a text.

Some of the off-road parking bays are located next to Driver Reviver stops, while others are being used solely for texting.

The trial will run until April 28 to cover the Easter and school holiday period.

The trial is being implemented by WA’s Roadwise committees and is funded by the West Australian Road Safety Commission (RSC).

Source: Texting bays for drivers trialled on regional roads in WA | Daily Mail Online