How many times have you been driving or waiting at a traffic light and when you look at the car next to you, you see someone with a mobile phone glued to his ear?
Until very recently I thought I was using the mobile phone more frequently than anyone else when in the street; I have now discovered that this new obsession known as a cell phone is so widespread it is threatening to ruin our lives.
The other day while driving to my office, I began looking at passing cars out of curiosity. To my shock, I found that almost 90 percent of the motorists I saw were talking on a mobile. It is a sight that is now becoming increasingly common as more people than ever before have mobile phones; of course, motorists know very well that using a mobile phone while driving can be dangerous. Even using a hands-free kit does not completely eliminate the danger.
The habit is not just confined to motorists. The officer standing beside the traffic signal was busy chatting into his cell phone. At that moment I felt terrified, asking myself: If this is how we behave in the street, how are we going to achieve any of the objectives we set for ourselves? That was not all I saw that morning. The garbage collector standing in front of the containers was also talking on the phone.
I don’t think anyone driving and talking on the phone at the same time should expect to have their attention focused on the road. The slightest distraction can not only result in an accident but may also lead to a fatality. Given the chaotic state of our roads, it is no wonder many will not find enough time to respond in an emergency.
Using a handheld mobile phone and driving is illegal in many countries and those caught are prosecuted for dangerous or careless driving. The countries that have banned mobile phones during driving are aware of the danger that can result from such practice. We are talking here about human lives that must to be protected by any means. I wish we in the Kingdom would follow suit and pass a law stipulating harsher penalties in order to put an end to this dangerous practice and restore a sense of security and safety to our roads.
The authorities should intervene immediately and decisively. Leaving the matter to the discretion of people and the degree of awareness they have about the risks involved will lead us nowhere and can only result in more deaths and damage. As human beings, we tend to heed the law instead of our own selfish desires.
