Driver distraction is any action that takes a driver's attention away from the road and onto other elements in their environment. This includes using a mobile phone, driving with headphones, tuning your radio, managing children or pets on board, or applying make-up.

Officer in charge of traffic operations, acting station sergeant David Wills said the consequences of those types of distractions could be devastating.

"Taking your eyes off the road, even for a split second to check something like a text message can cause irreparable harm,” he said.

"Anything that takes a driver’s focus off the road in front of them is a serious hazard, and we have seen families who have lost loved ones because of a distracted driver.

"There is simply no excuse for using a mobile phone while driving – no text message or Instagram post is worth causing a serious collision and potentially killing yourself or someone else."

He said the primary focus of some in control of a vehicle was the road in front.

"You should also be aware of other road users around you, particularly vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians."

This campaign forms part of the joint ACT road safety strategy 2011-2020 which prioritises a vision zero approach to road safety.