Keep your hands on the wheel – not on the phone

Road crashes and accidents are increasing on South African roads annually and the major cause is – distracted driving.

In recent years, one distraction has increased significantly and that is the cellular phone. The distraction is not only caused by the act of talking on the phone but includes all other activities that can be performed on a cellular or smart phone. Among other things, we are now able to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, send and receive audio and video messages, browse the internet and participate in conversations on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and WeChat.

People often claim – when pulled over by a traffic officer – that they were not talking on the phone or that the vehicle was not moving. This makes it important to address some of the misconceptions about the use of cellphones and the law.

But, what is the law on cellphones and smartphones while driving? According to the South African National Road Traffic Act, NO driver is permitted to use a handheld communication device while driving, and this includes a cellphone, a microphone or any other communication device.

Here is a short summary of the law as it pertains to cellphones while driving:

– Such a device may only be used if it is not held in your hand or any other part of your body – which means you may not grip it under your chin either!

– When the vehicle is not moving and is stopped at a traffic light, for instance, you are not allowed to use your cellphone. You are considered to be driving if the engine is running.

– Transgressions of the rules of the road include the following: taking photos, browsing the internet and participation on social media platforms.

– Officials are no longer exempt from these rules. They used to be – if the use of the device was considered to be in the execution of their official duties – but that exemption was removed from the regulations a few years ago.

We need to recognise that everything taking our focus and attention away from the road can be regarded as a driver distraction – including taking both your hands off the steering wheel. If our attention is occupied elsewhere – and not on the road – we pose a danger to ourselves and other road users.

It could be anything – not just a conversation on a cellphone – that distracts a driver. Conversations and heated arguments with other passengers, fiddling with the car radio, eating, drinking, applying make-up and many other things take our attention off the road.

Drivers, as well as passengers, are urged to remain focused. This will allow the driver the best time, space and focus to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies on the road.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

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