RAC Foundation reacts to jailing of Tomasz Kroker
Responding to the jailing of lorry driver Tomasz Kroker for causing death by dangerous driving on the A34 after scrolling through music on his mobile phone, Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“We know texting whilst driving impairs reaction times more than being at the legal drink-drive limit.
“People are increasingly being distracted by the devices they carry with them into the driving seat and also the technology that is built into the car, but it almost defies belief that this case involved a professional driver.
“We have argued that now could be the time for a drive-safe mode on phones to try and limit access to distractions but ultimately this is about personal responsibility.
“Last year 61 fatal accidents had in-vehicle distraction as a contributory factor and that is likely to be an underestimate.”
Kroker was sentenced to ten years in prison at Reading Crown Court for killing Tracey Houghton, her two sons and her stepdaughter in August 2016.
The court was told that Kroker had barely looked at the road for a kilometre and the judge said “he might as well have had his eyes closed.”
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 020 7747 3445 | 07711 776448 | 020 7389 0601 (ISDN)
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation that explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. All the Foundation’s work is available at: www.racfoundation.org