Criminalizing phone use while driving can cut accidents

A young woman makes a phone call with her mobile phone while driving her car on the 5th of November in 1999. [Photo/IC]

THE ZHUHAI municipal committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy in Guangdong province has proposed criminalizing the use of mobile phones while driving because of the number of accidents caused by such behavior. Despite the traffic law banning the use of phones while driving, many drivers choose to ignore it. Yanzhao Evening Paper on Friday commented:

Using a mobile phone when driving can distract a driver's attention. Studies show that reactions are 30 percent slower than normal and the risk of an accident is four times higher. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous as texting drivers are 23 times more likely to have an accident.

Article 62 of the Regulations on Implementing the Road Traffic Safety Law clearly states that drivers are prohibited from using a mobile phone, and offenders will be fined 200 yuan ($30) and get two points off their license. But such punishments are insufficient to deter drivers from using their phones.

About 20 percent of drivers use their phones while driving to make calls, send text messages or check their social media accounts, the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureaus said on its micro blog during the National Day holiday.

In fact, just as there are campaigns to catch those driving under the influence of drink or drugs, there should be crackdowns on drivers using their phones while driving.

A public awareness campaign should also be launched so drivers better understand the risks of driving while using a phone.