Skip to main content

FIA launches road safety initiative: #ParkYourPhone when on the road

European MEP Dieter Liebrech Koch, FIA Region I and its member Clubs are launching #ParkYourPhone, a campaign to encourage responsible smartphone use in traffic. The campaign will be rolled out across Europe the Middle East and Africa by FIA Clubs in autumn 2017. MEP Koch said that while Europe has done much to improve safety, be it on technical improvements of the vehicles, better training for road users or infrastructure, new technologies, such as smart phones and tablets, bring about new challenges.
September 28, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
European MEP Dieter Liebrech Koch, 8054 FIA Region I and its member Clubs are launching #ParkYourPhone, a campaign to encourage responsible smartphone use in traffic. The campaign will be rolled out across Europe the Middle East and Africa by FIA Clubs in autumn 2017.


MEP Koch said that while Europe has done much to improve safety, be it on technical improvements of the vehicles, better training for road users or infrastructure, new technologies, such as smart phones and tablets, bring about new challenges.

European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, supported FIA Region 1’s initiative, saying, “With smartphones becoming more popular than ever, it seems increasingly difficult to take our eyes off the screen. In fact, distracted driving is the cause of a growing number of road deaths and injuries. It is vital that we keep our attention on the road. As Transport Commissioner, road safety is one of my ongoing priorities. A simple way to reduce accidents is to keep your eyes on the road and off your smartphone.”

FIA President and UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for road safety, Jean Todt, said “Road safety is among my top priorities. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians need to understand the dangers of using smartphones in traffic. To combat the 3,500 lives lost every day in road accidents, I urge all road users to park their phones when they are in traffic.”

FIA Region I director general, Laurianne Krid, said: “There are many ways to be active in traffic, from a young to an older age. FIA Region I and its member Clubs believe that lifelong learning is key to ensure the safest roads. This campaign reminds us of the many distractions that cross our path on a daily basis and encourages everyone to #ParkYourPhone and remain focussed on the road while in traffic.”

Related Content

  • April 1, 2019
    C-ITS in the EU: ‘A little tribal’
    As the C-ITS Delegated Act begins its journey through the European policy maze, Adam Hill looks at who is expecting what from this proposed framework for connected vehicles – and why some people are insisting that the lawmakers are already getting things wrong here are furrowed brows in Brussels and Strasbourg as European Union legislators begin to consider the rules which will underpin future services such as connected vehicles. The idea is to create a regulatory framework to harmonise cooperative ITS
  • April 1, 2019
    C-ITS in the EU: ‘A little tribal’
    As the C-ITS Delegated Act begins its journey through the European policy maze, Adam Hill looks at who is expecting what from this proposed framework for connected vehicles – and why some people are insisting that the lawmakers are already getting things wrong here are furrowed brows in Brussels and Strasbourg as European Union legislators begin to consider the rules which will underpin future services such as connected vehicles. The idea is to create a regulatory framework to harmonise cooperative ITS
  • February 13, 2020
    EU cities back Polis declaration for safer streets
    European cities expressed support for ‘The New Paradigm for Safe City Streets’ declaration at the annual Polis Conference in Brussels.
  • November 8, 2017
    Jenoptik’s 100th Specs operation goes live on Grane Road
    Jenoptik’s Specs Average Speed Enforcement Cameras have been installed between Junction 5 of the M65 near Belthorn though to A56 at Haslingden, following The Lancashire Road Safety Partnership’s plan to reduce casualties and collisions across chosen routes. The cameras are also designed with the intention of influencing driver behavior to create smoother traffic flows. Average Speed Check Signs are also being used throughout the route to ensure that drivers are aware that their speed is being monitored.