Like many on here I have a previous life.

I worked on government campaigns, one of which was a road safety campaign that has continued to have an impact on me years later. I have never had speeding points and I NEVER use my mobile phone while driving.

An incident I witnessed yesterday reminded me of the reason behind me not using my phone - other than the fact that it is against the law.

First though the incident. I was crossing the road at a toucan crossing (The one with the buttons) when a woman whizzed through in her car. She had her mobile phone to her ear and was twisted around talking to a toddler in the back seat. I really have no idea how she kept control of the car as the junction is actually a turning. I stepped back in horror waiting for her to mount the pavement. I am still horrified every time I think about it.

However, my unwillingness to use a phone while driving has little to do with this woman, but everything to do with having the pleasure of talking with a woman who's daughter was killed by a driver using a mobile. I say pleasure because she was a lovely woman who worked hard to make sure she would get justice for her daughter and help to prevent another child dying at the hands of someone who felt that a mobile call is too important to wait or pull over for.

Seeing the driver yesterday endangering herself, her child and those on the pavement for the sake of a call, which surely couldn't have been so important that she couldn't hold on and park up in one of the many car parks in the town, made me so angry and so sad. I could never cope with being responsible for causing a families pain at losing a loved one for the sake of taking a call. Could she?

Talking on your mobile phone is like being four times over the drink drive limit. Would you drive drunk?