Despite awareness, they cannot stop texting while driving
Gulf News speaks to readers who use their mobile phones while driving
You are driving down Shaikh Zayed Road when you suddenly hear a beep. Your best friend has sent you a text message. What do you do?
According to a Gulf News report published in April, more than 16,000 motorists were fined in Dubai alone for using their phones while driving in just the first three months of this year.
So if your answer was to ignore your phone you have just avoided a potential fine of Dh800 and four black points on your licence.
Amal Yaqoob, a sales executive based in Sharjah, is one of those who would pick up the phone, check the text message and respond, all while driving.
She said: “If a person is calling me, I cannot ignore it. I also use the phone to take pictures, listen to music or navigation.”
She confesses to only doing so when stuck in traffic and even though she knows it is dangerous, she cannot stop. She once hit a dog because she was distracted.
Larith Adiyeri, a sales officer based in Sharjah, drives a lot for work. So, if he receives a call, he has to answer.
He said: “I cannot ignore calls if I’m driving from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi — that is two hours. Clients don’t wait. My field is competitive.”
His wife has asked him to stop several times, and he says he understands her concern.
To try and reduce the risk, he now uses Bluetooth.
He said: “Accidents can happen in a fraction of a second, I understand the consequences.”
Muzaffar Ali, a sales executive based in Sharjah, claims to be in a similar situation. He has to respond to work emails immediately.
He said: “That is usually why I do it, or sometimes I will answer a call from a family member.”
But on speaking to him further, he confessed to listening to music on his phone. Aware of all the consequences, he has decided to reduce the habit.
Jeffrey Pascual, a leasing officer based in Dubai, has found a way around it by using Siri, a smart application that works based on voice commands.
Pascual said: “I ask the application to read out my messages and even command it to type for me. It is an innovative way to go hands-free.”
Alden Fernandes, a student based in Dubai, is convinced that this habit is an addiction and compares it to smoking.