Telus launches #ThumbsUpPhonesDown campaign

by Sonya Davidson

We all know that it's not safe to use our smartphones when driving? Yes? This week is National Safe Driving Week in Canada and being distracted behind the wheel is a growing concern. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, it now kills more people each year than drunk driving and speeding combined. 

Okay, I don't drive myself, per se, but I am driven. Take that as you will.  Being born and raised in the city I see distracted drivers every day on their phones. Moms rushing to get their kids to school and busy execs in their cars that look like they are talking to themselves. I've experienced far too many near misses.

This is why TELUS has launched the #ThumbsUpPhonesDown campaign this week to remind us all, professsional passengers included, to take more responsibility. When you're stopped at a red light and you see a driver with both hands on the wheel, give them a thumbs up for resisting the temptation to reach for their smartphone. Kinda quirky and will get people wondering but I like the positivity of it all! You can check out what fellow commuters are doing to spread the word on social media (and share your own) with the hashtag #ThumbsUpPhonesDown...when you're not driving of course! 

TELUS believes they have a responsibility, as a network and provider and of smartphones, to encourage Canadians to make a change for the better.They've recently surveyed Canadians on their distracted driving habits and here are some interesting findings:

• Most Canadians understand that using a smartphone while driving is unsafe. When asked to describe the behavious, 48 per cent said it was "bad, "stupid" and "wrong." Only 27 per cent knew it is also illegal in Canada (exception is Nunavut).

• 49 per cent of those surveyed said they feel obilgated to address a call, message or text when it comes in while they are driving.

• On a weekly basis, one-third of respondents acknowedged using their smartphones while driving, including making non-hands-free calls, checking texts and reading emails.

• Two out of five Canadians can't amke it through their average communte (approx. 25 minutes according to Stats Canada) without checking their phones.

• As passengers, 70 per cent of Canadians believe using a smartphone while driving is unsafe and that act makes them uncomfortable, but 24 per cent of passengers in a car with a driver on their smartphone don't voice thier concern.

If you're familiar with the TELUS WISE program, that offers consumer awareness and education about topics including kids and social media, you'd be interested in learning that they've added a distracted driving resource to the fold. It's ideal not only for seasoned drivers but for new ones as well. The Smarphone Safety- Distracted Driving Guide was co-created with the support from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and Young Drivers of Canada. It features key facts and tips for drivers of all age groups and definitely worth a look. 

So, stay safe on the roads and put your phone away while you're driving. Period.