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Driving and checking messages – it is has become an epidemic

Driving and checking messages – it is has become an epidemic <i>(Image: ponsulak)</i>
Driving and checking messages – it is has become an epidemic (Image: ponsulak)

A lot of us are still flouting the law when it comes to using a mobile phone while driving.

We do this because we sense it is very difficult for police officers to spot someone texting or checking their phones while they are behind the wheel.

I must admit I have been guilty of checking the phone while driving over the years. It is difficult to put the phone down sometimes.

But as I got older I realised driving time was the only time one could cut off from the rest of the world completely. It was peace time.

But is checking the phone just as bad as texting or calling? Or have we now decided that certain types of behaviour are worse than others?

Up until it became illegal to take a call and drive, it was common to see people driving around with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding on to their phone.

What is noticeable now is the number of drivers who are busy texting away or scrolling through social media updates while driving.

Some people might say if you are stuck at traffic lights then there is nothing wrong with checking your phone. You have stopped and the vehicle is not moving so what is the danger? Why should I sit there in boredom when I can check out a few videos or post a few messages in a WhatsApp group?

Funnily enough I have found it to be more common with female drivers. That is an observation more than anything and is not a comment on the level of driving skills.

No woman ever cut me off or tried to overtake me while I was turning right. That honour goes to the bloke in the VW Golf.

People are constantly glancing down at their phones while the vehicle is in motion. In some cases, they are so busy checking their status they simply forget they are operating a vehicle at all.

What is also noticeable is how we tend to be concerned about other people doing this while driving but ignore it when we ourselves do it.

We feel a sense of outrage when someone fails to spot that the lights have turned green and is too busy checking their phone. In our case it is an emergency but everyone else must just be a danger to the other road users.