MEC orders clampdown on ‘scourge’
Quarter of all road accidents caused by drivers on phones
WITH more than 1 billion glances at smartphones daily, Africa is becoming a distracted continent and it is having a dangerous effect on driving habits.
Statistics from the Game of Phones Survey published this month revealed that 13 percent of South Africans “typically use” their cellphones while driving. The latest survey, released by the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) industry gathered more than 5 000 responses across Africa.
Delving further, the Independent on Saturday visited two streets in Durban to count the number of people using cellphones while driving.
The results from First Avenue revealed that 10 motorists out of 100 driving past were on their cellphones.
The tally from Matthews Meyiwa Road revealed that eight out of 100 drivers were using a cellphone.
Statistics from the BusinessTech website claimed that an astounding 25 percent of accidents in South Africa are as a result of cellphone use while driving.
Zinhle Mngomezulu of the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate said: “It is so disturbing to see a person driving while using their cellphone.
“People’s concentration is lost to these devices when their primary focus should be on the safety of themselves and other motorists.
“Today’s technology enables the use of cellphones to be hands-free while driving.
“These methods are available and should be used to ensure both hands can be on the steering wheel at all times,” he said.
“There are a number of people charged for the offence of using a cellphone while driving,” said Mngomezulu.
“The number is escalating nowadays, with technology advancing, people are prioritising cellphones over safety more and more.”
Kwanele Ncalane, spokesman for the Department of Transport said: “It’s one of the issues that the MEC has instructed law enforcement officers to clamp down on. It is a major transgression that is contributing to the scourge of fatalities.
“Traffic officials are commanded to act harshly and decisively towards those who use cellphones while driving.”
Ncalane said the department “urges people to capitalise on the latest technology, such as Bluetooth headsets, to ensure compliance with traffic regulations”.
Ncalane said: “There are incidents where some of the accidents could have been avoided.
“We are not sure of the statistics, but we are currently engaging in a study to research the extent of the dangers of using cellphones while driving,” he said.