Driven to distraction: risks of using mobile phones at the wheel

Most of the motorists in Qatar are well aware of the fact that it takes not even a second to cause an accident. A shift of attention from the road ahead, maybe it is for a fleeting glance of the car music system screen, or to adjust the air-conditioner, settings, is sometimes enough to distract a motorist causing him or her to rear-end the vehicle in front or stray into the adjacent lanes.

This scenario is highly likely in a bustling country like Qatar and especially so in the capital city of Doha, which is now becoming increasingly well known for long queues of slow-moving traffic, as a result of more vehicles being added on to the roads at a never-before scale, road diversions precipitated by a construction boom, and minor and major pile-ups.

Gulf Times reported in August 2011, quoting a senior official of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), that road traffic accidents were mostly caused by speeding, not fastening seat belts and using mobile phone, leading to great losses, including loss of lives and economic loss for public and private sectors.

Another top official, cited in the same report, had also asserted that the traffic law is implemented for everyone. Three years later, sadly many of the factors mentioned above, continue to cause accidents in Qatar, like in many other parts of the world.

The Traffic Department has undoubtedly stepped up its vigil in the recent months, with special emphasis on arresting errant motorists who overtake from the right, and those not wearing seatbelts. But more needs to be done, especially against those motorists who continue to use handheld mobile phones while driving and cause accidents.

A casual scan of a busy intersection where motorists are waiting at the signals will prove that a majority of them are engrossed in using their mobile phones. It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone even while waiting at a signal. Many of these motorists continue to use their handsets even after moving from the stop. It is also common to see some motorists shifting their attention between the road and a handheld mobile phone at an alarmingly frequent pace.

As Traffic Department officials reportedly confirmed recently also, mobile phone usage remains one of the top causes of road accidents in Qatar. The violators seem to be unperturbed by the QR500 fine or the potentially dangerous consequences of their reckless habit. This situation warrants a stringent enforcement of the traffic law and harsher punishment.

Confiscation of the vehicle for a week or so, as it is being done now for the overtaking from the right offence, should be ideally slapped on those motorists found using a handheld mobile phone while behind the wheels. Repeat offenders should get their driving licence suspended.

Almost all modern vehicles and mobile phones have built-in Bluetooth capability, which allows them to be paired and connected during driving. Even if a vehicle does not have the feature, the mobile phone could be paired with a Bluetooth earphone or speaker. All these options are available at a minimal cost if needed, though scientific research has proven that they also distract motorists to a certain extent. So, the best and the foolproof option is not to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

During August this year, the MoI had asked residents to cease talking and sending messages on their phones while driving. The question is how many of us can do that.