Apart from driving fast, and violating traffic rules, using cell phones has also become one of the major reasons behind vehicle accidents in the Kingdom. Nearly 50 percent of drivers talk on their mobile phones whilst driving, in Saudi Arabia. Mobile and smart phones have become omnipresent in our daily lives. 

Almost half of the drivers interviewed for this article have admitted to using a mobile or smart phone to talk, listen to music or read e-mails, while driving. This behavior has become a severe concern on the road. 

Ibrahim Tanwar, a regular automobile driver said, “I have seen quite a lot of people talking on hand-held phones behind the steering wheel. They usually go out of road tracks due to lack of concentration.” 

Several studies and campaigns by the traffic department in Saudi Arabia have confirmed how dangerous it is for drivers to talk or text on cell phones while driving. Yet, this behavior continues to be a source of injuries and road accidents. 

The younger generation especially confessed to using their phones to access their e-mail addresses or social networking accounts. Zuahaib Rehman, a campaigner said “Drivers who use their smart phones on the moves are less focused on the roads, as they are preoccupied with their devices.” He also added that a lack of concentration is risky not only for those behind the steering wheel, but also for the passengers accompanying the driver, other drivers and pedestrians. 

Even a fraction of a second counts when a person is moving on the road. A phone call that lasts for a few seconds can potentially cause a road accident. 

Smart phones are equipped with many applications like Internet connectivity, music players and many other entertainment applications, which are a source of further distraction to drivers. 

Many working professionals also admitted to using their smart and mobile phones while driving. Ajaz Khan, a sales manager, concedes to using his phone while he is at traffic light signals. According to Khan, “My job requires me to always be connected; I receive important calls anytime which cannot be missed or e-mails that need my reply. There have been times when I composed entire e-mails while at traffic signals and sent them to colleagues”.

Though people are aware of the risks of driving while using their phones, they still engage in this behavior. The awareness campaigns against distracted driving, might be working, however more needs to be done to quell this behavior, such as fining people who drive while using their phones. 

Mohammed Halees, a university student said “The popularity of smart phones and applications especially among younger drivers who are so dependent and reliant on technology, has created a new generation that believes using a phone while driving is the norm, this has to change.”

Halees added that awareness campaigns have been organized on his university campus, to highlight the risks of driving while distracted by the phone to the younger generation of drivers. 

“Drivers can prevent accidents by keeping their phones away or by giving them to the passenger, in case of a phone call, to avoid getting sidetracked,” Halees said.

A researcher in Jeddah, Abdul Rehman, explained that the need to stay connected is all pervading in the Information Age. Mobile and smart phones are increasingly used by people to enhance their lifestyle and connectivity. 

“To stop people from using hand-held mobile devices behind the wheel, sustained public awareness and education campaigns are required in the Kingdom,” he added.