One of the biggest distractions while driving is using the mobile phone, especially amongst younger drivers aged 18-25. Find out what happens when you drive and use your mobile phone

Of the many distractions while driving, mobile phone usage is definitely one of the most prevalent. As the mobile phone is an indispensable item in our lives, we interact with it most of the time – calling, texting, changing music, looking at maps, etc. These very short interactions will affect your visual perception and attention to driving, and you won’t notice what’s happening on the road for that few seconds.

For 2021, as the Covid-19 pandemic is easing up on movement restrictions, more fatal accidents happened, an increase of 25 per cent from 80 cases in 2020 to 100 in 2021. Transiting to a new normal endemic, fatal accidents increased to 131 in 2023, as latest annual statistics from Singapore Police Force showed.

Talking and texting on mobile

Talking on the mobile phone while driving is one bad distraction, even via a hands-free earpiece or in-car speaker. Once you are on the road, you need to focus only on driving safely and be ready to react to anything that may happen. Talking on the phone may lead to you thinking of the conversation you are holding with another during and even after the call. This mind wandering is a bad distraction, as your mind is preoccupied with other thoughts rather than driving. So, avoid answering any phone call while driving.

Besides calling, texting on the mobile phone is a young person’s favourite communication activity. But this should not be the case when driving as it is dangerous and really distracts you from driving. Compared to calling, your entire attention is on the screen, meaning your eyes are totally off driving! Again, do not text while driving, not even when it’s on a mount.

Changing music on app playlist

Another bad distraction of using a mobile phone while driving is changing music on your playlist in an app on your mobile phone. You will need to navigate between different apps, taking your eyes off the road and attention away from driving. This poses an incredible dangerous risk while driving. Set up your pre-determined playlist or queue your preferred songs before driving off, and do not change it while driving.

Looking at GPS map

Using a mobile phone while driving and looking at the GPS map is another bad distraction that can be minimised. Granted that GPS is a handy tool in navigating to your destination, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds is enough for a potential accident to happen. Familiarise yourself with the journey before you drive off. Once you set the destination address, listen to the automated voice directions instead of following the map when the vehicle is in motion. If you do need to see, stop your vehicle in a safe place.

Penalty

So, what’s the penalty if you are convicted of using a mobile device while driving? For first-time offenders, a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both, and can also be disqualified from driving. For second or subsequent offenders, the fine is a maximum of $2,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail. The offence is committed if the driver performs all of these three actions – holding a mobile phone, using any function of the phone, and the vehicle is moving.

When the offence of using mobile devices was enacted in the Road Safety Act from 2015, in the event of road traffic cases involving injury or serious collisions, mobile devices will be confiscated for investigations, regardless if you are the perpetuator or victim. Should it become a criminal proceeding following the accident, the mobile device will be retained further until the resolution of the case in court. If you are convicted, your mobile device will be forfeited.

What if…

Let’s say you are holding a phone that is turned off in your hand. It is an offence, whether the phone is turned on or not. To not be tempted to interact with the phone, place your phone on a holder that is not blocking your view, or better still, put the phone away from your reach!

Wait, if the phone is in a holder, and you are interacting with it, is it an offence? Technically it is not, but the distraction is still there, and you can be charged under driving without due care or reasonable consideration.

What if you are holding and using the phone when the vehicle is stationary like during a red light? Well, it is not an offence too, but if the light changes to green, and you are still on your phone, your stationary vehicle is a road hazard as you will be blocking traffic.

Be safe and not distracted

When you drive, you need your full attention to the task, so your eyes, ears, limbs and brain need to be fully engaged. If you use your mobile phone at any point during your drive, these few seconds of distraction increases the chances of getting into an accident or endangering others.

Be a safe driver, concentrate on driving, judge well, and react quickly and well to situations; do not be distracted by your mobile phone as it robs your ability to quickly react to situations, even for a few seconds, because accidents happen in a split second.

If you really must use your mobile phone, park your vehicle safely at the nearest carpark and use it to your heart’s content. Just no using while driving, period.