Partner of tragic mum Frankie backs campaign warning about driving while distracted

An expectant father whose life was “destroyed” after a dangerous driver killed his partner is raising awareness of the dangers of becoming distracted while using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Calvin Buckley is lending his voice and his story to support ‘Touch. Screen’, a new campaign by Safer Roads Greater Manchester launching today (Tuesday).

In May 2023, Calvin’s partner Frankie Julia Hough had stopped her car on the hard shoulder of the M66 with a flat tyre when a speeding driver, who was filming himself reaching speeds of 123mph, lost control and crashed into her car.

Frankie, 38, and her unborn daughter, Neeve, died from their injuries days later, while Frankie’s two sons and nephew, who were also in the car, sustained injuries.

Calvin, from Oldham, said: “Two people lost their lives as a result of someone using their phone while driving, and to put it simply my life was destroyed.

“I lost my partner and the chance to become a father, but it has also affected many other people and the effects of this incident will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

“My life was completely shattered in a moment and now I’m trying to rebuild my life and make something positive out of it by supporting this campaign and the Vision Zero strategy.”

‘Touch. Screen’ is underpinned by the Vision Zero Strategy which aims to eliminate all deaths and life-changing injuries on Greater Manchester’s roads by 2040. 

In the last ten years nearly 10,000 people who live in, work in or visit the region have been killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Between 2014 and 2023 there were 138 people killed or seriously injured following road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester where driver distraction was a contributing factor.

Of those deaths, 23 people lost their lives in a road traffic collision where the driver was using a mobile phone.

In the videos released as part of the ‘Touch. Screen’ campaign, three drivers can be seen using their mobile phone behind the wheel and becoming increasingly distracted as they take calls, respond to texts, change songs or check directions.

As they continue to take their eyes off the road and focusing on touching their phone, they are too slow to react to what happens next and the scene abruptly ends with a loud crash.

On the campaign's radio advert, Calvin’s voice can then be heard warning drivers about consequences of becoming distracted while driving.

Calvin said: “It’s become quite common for people to use their phone to check messages, send photos or change the music while driving.

"The use of mobile phones in our society has grown, and for some people it’s all they’ve ever known.

“But all it takes is a split second to become distracted, and when you take your eyes off the road anything could happen.

"You could hit another car, a pedestrian, or injure yourself.

“Please don’t touch your phone while driving.

"You could get fined, get points on your licence or, more seriously, take somebody’s life.”

Driving while distracted is listed among the National Police Chiefs' Council’s ‘fatal four’ causes of road traffic collisions, alongside speeding, drink and drug driving, and not wearing a seat belt.

If caught, a driver would receive six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving, if a driver gets six points within two years of passing their test, they will lose their licence.

Superintendent Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police’s Special Operations, said: “The road requires your full attention whatever your mode of transport.

"Distractions such as mobile phones and other handheld devices can cause you to lose your focus on the road and potentially miss an upcoming hazard.

“Using a mobile phone could result in a fine, ban, or worse still, put somebody’s life at risk.

"Even hands-free options can be distracting, so ask yourself whether the call can wait.

“We have seen some devastating incidents over the years which has significant impact on families, please don’t be the reason why you are the one that prevents someone from going home to their loved ones.”

Steps can be taken to avoid becoming distracted while driving, which could save a life or prevent someone from suffering life-changing injuries, including:

Staying focused

Putting your phone in a place where you won’t be tempted to use it, such as the glovebox, a bag or in your pocket

Ensuring passengers know not to create a distraction

Finding a safe, legal place to stop if you need to make a call or text, or to use your phone to change a song or check directions

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