Yusuf Al-Muhaimeed

Al-Jazirah

Despite the fact that the use of mobile phones while driving has become an increasing threat to road safety, most of us do not remember to make important calls except when driving. What is worse is we enjoy following WhatsApp messages and chat groups only when we are behind the wheel.



However, the punishment for using mobile phones while driving was approved only recently. Yes, the use of the mobile phone while driving has been finally included in the long list of traffic violations. A repeat violator will be taken into custody and referred to the Commission for Violations and Disputes at the Traffic Department where he faces a fine or imprisonment or both.



The Traffic Department has finally realized that using a mobile phone while driving is a violation that requires the perpetrator to be taken into custody.



It is unbelievable to see a motorist veer in a chaotic fashion between traffic lanes at a speed of 100 km or more an hour as he makes a call or sends messages on his mobile phone.



This poses a grave threat to public safety in the absence of the severest of penalties. Moreover, it is important to admit that this practice is a serious violation that needs to be monitored by Saher in the same way breaches of speed limits are monitored and punished.



I recall a study that made a comparison between loss of human life in traffic accidents and as a result of wars. The study pointed out that the total number of deaths due to wars in Argentina, Western Sahara, India-Pak subcontinent, the Gulf and others was not more than 82,000. Compared to this, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents over the past 20 years in the Kingdom alone was around 86,000 and the number of injuries exceeded 600,000 in more than 4 million traffic accidents.



However, it is surprising that there are still people who object, whether in the press or on the social media, to the stiff measures to ensure compliance with traffic rules.  These people view traffic fines as a form of taxation even though violations of road rules leave hundreds of people dead or crippled each month. Statistics released by the Traffic Department show that the number of deaths due to road accidents exceeds 8,000 annually.



What is painful is the alarming increase in the rate of deaths and injuries due to accidents despite all the measures in place. An investigative study conducted by Saudi Aramco previously indicated that, based on the annual growth rate, the number of road accident deaths in the Kingdom would reach 9,604 by 2019.



The general objective of the Traffic Department should not be only to reduce the number of accident deaths but to put a stop to the annual growth of accidents as a first step. This cannot be achieved except with more stringent penalties, including imprisonment for violators.