I thought the British, who are known to be very keen on road safety, had long ago passed a law banning the use of mobile phones while driving. I discovered recently, however, that the law had only come into effect at the beginning of this month. It sets a fine of 1,000 pounds (about SR7,000) for motorists who drive and talk on their mobile phones at the same time.
This is just the sort of penalty which has never been enacted by a Third World country; if the government of one of those countries even suggested the idea of such a fine, there would surely be mass protests along with great public anger and indignation.
A similar thing happened to us here in the Kingdom a few years ago when the traffic police decided to increase the fine for running a red light to SR900. The move generated anger and criticism with many thinking it was too harsh a penalty. The unexpected happened; instead of leading to a drop in the number of people deliberately driving through a red light, the rate has been on the increase ever since — despite surveillance cameras, officers stationed at traffic signals and police patrol cars roaming the streets.
Some would prefer to run a red light instead of hitting the brakes at a suddenly-changing signal and risk being rammed from behind by a driver who was too close to begin with. Fearing for their lives and cars, many drivers have unintentionally become irresponsible with the result that the number of such drivers is on the increase. This needs to be seriously looked at and swift action must be taken to correct it.
There is also the problem of traffic officers who, instead of serving as role models for the public, themselves behave irresponsibly. A few days ago as I was driving home, I saw a police patrol car with the officer inside deep in conversation on his mobile phone. A feeling of frustration and betrayal overcame me and I asked myself if this is the behavior of people who are supposed to serve as role models, why should others be blamed for doing the same? This bad habit is now so common on our streets that anywhere you drive, including along highways and on some very dangerous stretches, you are sure to see someone talking on a mobile phone.
Can we say that 99 percent of our drivers are addicted to this habit? Just watch them and you will see drivers laughing, frowning, shouting, raising their fists and gesturing while others have the mobiles caught between their shoulder and their cheek, one hand gesticulating wildly as the other attempts to steer the vehicle. How long do you think it will take us to introduce a law banning talking on mobiles while driving?
Will it happen in 10 years?
