New danger as drivers park to answer calls

Counties Manukau road policing manager Heather Wells says people must learn to stop using their mobiles in their cars. Photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Drivers may be getting the message about cellphones but their attempts at playing it safe are turning Auckland motorways into "a bit of a parking lot".

They are adding to safety risks already caused by breakdowns, police warn.

The ban on hand-held cellphones in cars, to become law in November, has apparently prompted more motorists to stop to take calls.

But police say pulling over on a motorway is dangerous as well as an offence that carries a $150 instant fine, and should not be attempted.

"They made it an offence for agood reason, a safety reason," said Sergeant Stu Kearns of the Waitemata serious crash unit. "We have had a few fatals from people that were broken down and killed by acar wandering out of the lane."

Inspector Heather Wells, road policing manager for Counties Manukau, said that while it was good that people were pulling over to talk, they should not do it on the motorway.

"They are just creating more issues and probably creating a crash. People have got to learn now to stop using their mobiles in the car."

Mr Kearns said police would respond to any pulled-over car as a breakdown.

"If we see a car on the side we think it's a breakdown and then it's someone talking on the phone - it's a huge waste of police resources."

Motorists would not be let off being ticketed, in light of the impending cellphone ban, Mr Kearns said.

"No, not on a motorway. It's too dangerous to stop ... and then build up speed to try and get back into the lane.

"Switch it off or don't answer it, just let it go to voicemail ... People will ring back or leave a message."

Mr Kearns said there was an ongoing problem with motorists in Auckland pulling over to use their phones.

Wellington district road policing manager Inspector Peter Baird said that while he applauded the intentions of people pulling over to talk, it was illegal and dangerous and the roading system and motorway speeds were not designed for parked vehicles.

He feared the problem would worsen when the new law came into force in November.