What Does it Take ?

The road crash assessors calculate that using a mobile phone while driving increases the crash risk by a volume of twenty times.  In particular, driving while texting is the most dangerous, but even having a phone conversation delivers risk because the driver's attention is being diverted from the surrounding traffic conditions.

Progressively, the penalties for this breach of the law have been steadily increased and it now brings a $298 fine, but it is still widely ignored.  Now the New South Wales government has upped the ante and added the loss of demerit points to the penalty, and taken a draconian approach for the coming high risk Christmas period.

From December 24 to January 3 those caught using a mobile phone while the car engine is switched on - even though the car may be stopped on the side of the road - will have double demerit points apply - and lose six points on the spot.  For the 2016 year a three demerit point loss will accompany the monetary fine during normal non holiday policing.

Some people are bemused by that " engine switched on " rule, but it is designed to make it clear that making a call while the car is stopped at lights or parked but waiting to enter traffic will not be tolerated as a valid excuse.  That makes it clear that the car must be totally immobilized for phone traffic to be legal.

All of this legislation applies to mobile phones which are either in a driver's hand or sometimes cupped between shoulder and ear.   It is perfectly legal to have a phone conversation if the phone is attached to a hands free cradle which meets legal requirements - and they are cheap and readily available.   It just seems that few bother to buy and install them, and a view of the road scene reveals widespread abuse of this law.

It will be interesting to see how drivers react to the demerit point penalty.  It could result in an attitudinal change, but probably over a longer time period as license loss consequences sink in. Such was the case when DUI breath testing sought to reduce the incidence of drink driving.   The percentage of drivers caught over the limit has been steadily decreasing and it is now regarded as socially unfavourable.   The tolerance of the past - has evaporated.

There is another even more draconian answer waiting in the wings if the adding of demerit points fails to curb the risk imposed.  A simple electrical addition will introduce a static component that would make mobile use impossible within a vehicle with it's engine running, but that would also impose the same curb on passengers as the driver.   As a last resort, that could become a necessity to be signed off in working order when each annual registration mechanical check is carried out.

It seems that we mere mortals are risk takers.   It stands to reason that having a texting exchange requires a driver to check the screen for a reply - and take his or her eyes off what other traffic is doing, and concentration is definitely shared if a driver is having a heated phone call with his boss or an argument with a family member.   In none such incidents is the proper attention being given to safely navigating the car in traffic.

Unfortunately, we are now accustomed to availability 24/7.   The ubiquitous mobile phone has become a monster that rules our lives.   We need to tame it in the interests of our personal safety !