When the compulsory use of seat belts in cars was introduced some years ago, the safety measure was soon accepted by most motorists through effective enfrocement. However, several dangerous practices still exist on the road, such as using the mobile phone while driving.
If making or receiving a phone call at the wheel is bad, sending a text message or e-mail is much worse because it automatically means a driver is taking his eyes off the road.
A traffic expert expressed concern to Times of Malta that texting while driving is becoming an increasing danger on our roads.
“Drink driving happens normally in the evening or early morning but text driving is taking place all day and by all ages. It seems to be on the increase,” said former assistant police commissioner Josie Brincat, who used to be responsible for the traffic section.
The NSO said that outgoing mobile phone text messages between January and March this year amounted to 128 million, down from 154 million in the same period in 2013. This does not mean people are sending fewer messages but, rather, that other messaging services are becoming more popular.
More than 50 billion text messages are sent globally over WhatsApp, for example, every day, which exceeds all SMS messages carried by every carrier worldwide over 24 hours.
Mobile phone use is widespread in Malta. There were half a million subscriptions at the end of the first quarter of this year, according to figures released by the Malta Communications Authority; a penetration rate exceeding 126 per cent.
The MCA reports that 130 million voice calls were made in the period under review. Unfortunately, no official statistics seem to be kept about the causes of road accidents or to determine whether a mobile phone was being used.
Having such information in hand would certainly help to raise more awareness, apart, of course, from assisting the traffic authorities to draw up adequate campaigns and take the necessary preventive measures.
However, the fact is that a number of people engage in the practice. The reasons are several: we lead increasingly fast lives where people expect us to be available and able to respond instantly, and perhaps we do not appreciate the dangers of using a mobile phone in this way.
Of course, any distraction while driving can be a hazard. This includes talking to a passenger or using hands-free facilities – though we have to accept that distractions will happen.
The key is to minimise them as much as we can. The authorities must be alert to this. Transport Malta, traffic police and wardens should be involved in a coordinated educational campaign to combat mobile phone use while driving. Drivers should be penalised more regularly for engaging in what is unfortunately considered a socially acceptable practice.
One need not be a traffic expert to notice the large number of drivers who engage with their mobile phones while driving.
Many, evidently, feel they can get away with it. In a country where many love breaking the rules, it is only tough enforcement which brings about change.
But each one of us also needs to realise our addiction to our smartphones. Unlike what we are led to believe, it is not a device that can be used everywhere – all the time – but a tool that has great capabilities when it is used correctly. Using it while driving is never a smart thing to do.