If you had to create an advertising campaign for young people about the danger of mobile phone distraction, what would it look like?
The Re:act program challenges communications and graphic design students to create campaigns to raise awareness of road safety issues among their peers. Since 2017, themes have included safer speeds, safer cars and fatigue.
This year’s theme was mobile phone distraction. A panel of experts including a representative from the Road Safety Commission chose the winning campaign.
'Let Your Phone Chillax & Focus on the Journey,' was created by Curtin University graphic design students EC Gildersleeve Morris, Shiloh Sitar and Brooke Lightfoot. It will now feature across 500 media sites across Perth.
In researching for the campaign, students said they developed a greater appreciation for just how dangerous it is to even glance at your phone while driving.
The winning campaign uses relatable language and a positive, nonauthoritarian approach to serve as a friendly reminder to young people to turn their phones off, or put them out of reach or in ‘do not disturb mode’ while driving.
Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner congratulated the students on delivering a visually appealing campaign highlighting the importance of focusing on the journey and taking simple actions to make it safer.
'The Road Safety Commission is pleased to support initiatives such as the Re:act program, aimed at sparking fresh conversations about road safety, educating and changing risky attitudes among young people,' he said.
Phone distraction is a serious problem on our roads. Not only can it be as risky as drink driving, it increases your risk of crashing by four times - or 10 times if you are texting - and slows your reaction time by 50 per cent.
In 2022-23 the Road Safety Commission conducted a seven-month trial of new safety cameras capable of detecting illegal mobile usage. The trial verified 66,873 offences across over 90 sites across WA.
This new technology will soon be rolled out in WA on a more permanent basis. The safety cameras will be used to protect people on our roads and are expected to increase the likelihood of phone-distracted drivers getting caught.
To see more winning campaigns from across Australia visit the React for Change website.
