In our third and final article about distractors, we focus on preventive measures and recommendations to discourage cell phone use while driving.
Preventive measures for drivers and passengers
Driver Responsibility
It is crucial that drivers, both of private vehicles and of public transportation and cargo, recognize their responsibility for road safety. They should be aware that safety is a supreme value and that accident prevention begins with them.
A culture of prevention should be promoted not only at home and among friends, but also through education and communication campaigns. Society as a whole should promote safe behaviors and discourage reckless practices.
Drivers, especially teenagers and novice drivers, should be aware that hands-free driving can be as dangerous as holding the phone. The most effective recommendation is to eliminate the possibility of cell phone contact while driving.
Practical recommendations to avoid distractions
- Turn off the cell phone or store it out of reach.
- Activate voicemail or automatic messages.
- Synchronize the phone with vehicle communication systems before starting to drive.
- Plan trips in advance, including programming navigation and music systems.
- Concentrate on one task at a time and be familiar with traffic laws and regulations.
Preventive measures from the private sector
Information and awareness policy
The first step in creating a culture of road safety is the continuous sensitization of drivers. Companies can implement internal campaigns, using a variety of media such as their website, emails, newsletters and social networks to reinforce the message about the risks of cell phone use while driving.
Organizations should establish clear policies for the use of cell phones and other electronic devices. These policies should include:
- Prohibition of cell phone use while driving, except for emergencies.
- Implementation of the “start the engine, turn off the cell phone” rule.
- Trip planning that includes safe stops to check messages.
- Written commitment from employees to comply with the no cell phone policy.
- Use of technologies such as automated messaging to avoid distractions.
Strict law enforcement
International experience shows that the main measure to control and deter cell phone use while driving is strict enforcement of the law. To this end, the implementation of operations to control distractions, as established in the General Law of Mobility and Road Safety, is promoted in order to increase police presence on highways and detect drivers using cell phones.
An important challenge is to adapt the laws to the rapid advances in cell phone technology, especially considering the applications that require different levels of interaction.
Communication Campaigns
Increasing public awareness
Effective communication is vital to keep drivers informed about the risks of cell phone use and associated penalties. Communication campaigns, such as roadside announcements and media coverage, are critical to support enforcement.
Two best practices to increase public awareness are: conducting media and social media awareness campaigns and roadside advertising to warn about police presence and the consequences of cell phone use behind the wheel.
To effectively combat cell phone use while driving, a combination of strict law enforcement, effective communication campaigns and a change in the social perception of distracted driving is essential. Enforcement measures, when combined with ongoing education and awareness, can have a significant impact on driver behavior and ultimately save lives.
Sanctions for cell phone use while driving
Regarding legislation related to cell phone use while driving, there are huge gaps to achieve legal homologation, both in terms of provisions and penalties for violating these provisions. According to the study Road safety legislation in Mexico: a subnational analysis, it is estimated that cell phone use while driving is the risk factor least addressed by legal instruments; only 45% of the entities consider it in their laws.
As an example of the measures and sanctions on the subject, the case of Mexico City is presented below.
Article 38 of the Traffic Regulations of the CDMX establishes that drivers of vehicles are prohibited from “Using a cell phone or any communication device while the vehicle is in motion, any manipulation must be done while the vehicle is stopped“. For violating the above measure, drivers will be sanctioned with fines of up to $ 3,630 MXN, three points to the driver’s license and one point to the vehicle registration.
Reducing cell phone use while driving is a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. Companies, drivers and society in general must work together to create a culture of road safety and responsibility. Penalties are an important tool, but education and awareness are equally crucial to ensure safer roads for all. We are all road safety.
