Texting while driving increases the chances of an accident

“The impairments associated with drunk driving and texting while driving has much in common."

June 26, 2016

While a great deal of emphasis is placed on the dangers of drunk driving in South Africa, and rightly so, texting and driving, as well as other forms of distractions while on the road, can be every bit as hazardous. This caution comes from Netcare’s general manager, Mande Toubkin.

“The impairments associated with drunk driving and texting while driving has much in common, and both are illegal in South Africa as well as exceedingly perilous activities,” she adds.

“We certainly have many patients who are admitted to Netcare’s emergency departments who report that their vehicle accidents were related to one or other form of diversion while they were at the wheel.”

Netcare’s trauma programme manager, Rene Grobler, says it is a misconception that using a hands-free mobile phone kit comes without risk.

”Drivers talking on their mobile phones, either hand-held or hands-free, are all at an increased risk of having an accident because they are trying to dial or take calls, or may simply be cognitively distracted by conversation. As modern neuroscience is showing, the human brain is simply not able to efficiently deal with too many activities simultaneously.”

Grobler urges those who engage in the following kinds of activities while on the road, to consider the risks and to desist from any activities that may impair their concentration:

· Texting or using a cellphone;

· Talking on the mobile phone without a hands-free device;

· Talking for long periods of time even using a hands-free device;

· Using in-vehicle technologies such as navigation systems and CD players;

· Reading a map, newspaper or other media;

· Taking photographs;

· Taking your eyes off the road to talk to passengers in the car;

· Changing clothes;

· Grooming;

· Eating and drinking (hot and messy foods may be especially problematic); and

· Searching for a cigarette lighter, lighting a cigarette, or smoking.

“Safety is far more important than that call you feel you may need to take, or the email or message you want to check,” Grobler adds.

“Rather turn off your phone and put it away in your boot or glove-compartment whenever you drive, so that your attention stays on the road. It is critical to focus fully on the road. If you absolutely have to do something that is going to distract you, rather pull over to a safe place.

“As motor vehicle drivers with a responsibility to each other, let us all make a contract with ourselves today to stop engaging in any activities which place our and others’ lives at risk,” Grobler urges.