EDITORIAL
The Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) has been sending the message to Barbadians of late, that they should comply with the new law barring cellphone use whilst driving, rather than complain about it.
The BRSA has been amongst a number of road safety advocates calling for such a ban, after recognising that all category of road users were seemingly oblivious to the dangers of using a cellular phone whilst driving. From drivers of cars, to those at the truck wheel, we have seen them with phones glued to their ears, as they travelled to and fro. It seemed as if Barbadians just couldn’t help themselves when that phone rang or sent a signal that a message was delivered.
Truth be told, time and time again, the warning against driving and using one’s mobile phone was issued. Time and time again, the message was ignored. It apparently took a new law to convince Barbadians that driving and talking, or worse yet, driving and texting on your cellular phone, isn’t such a good idea. Slowly, they are coming to the realisation that using a cellphone whilst driving, in whatever form or fashion, could be a deadly choice. Perhaps it’s the threat of a heavy fine that has caused them to sit up and pay attention.
Given the new law, drivers in Barbados now have to give great consideration to their actions, when it comes to cellphone use on our roads and highways. They must recognise that the new law, though initially confusing due to various interpretations of it that were rendered, is long overdue and designed to discourage distracted driving, which can lead to fatalities and serious injuries on the road. Barbadians should therefore seek to comply with this new law barring the use of cellphones whist driving, unless they want to be charged a fine of up to $2 000 or 18 months in prison or both, for not being compliant.
Certainly, there is really no excuse for not abiding by the law, as there is a wealth of technology available to ensure that drivers can comply with the law. There are numerous Bluetooth hands-free devices that will allow drivers to conduct a voice dial, which as persons may know, do not require the dialing of any numbers, but rather a simple command to “call so and so". There are features on certain phones that also allow you to hear who is calling you, as the person’s name is repeated while the phone rings, and with a simple touch of a button on the hands-free device, you can chat away. There is also the option of an automatic answer, for those persons who cannot miss a call. Furthermore, the option to press a button with a one touch, to answer or disconnect a call.
Obviously, the hands-free devices do not negate the fact that one must still exercise due care and attention on the road. However, they will aid in freeing up those hands needed for steering one’s vehicle and will assist in keeping drivers’ eyes on the road.
That said, it is hoped that Barbadians will simply comply with new law and find ways to ensure that safety remains paramount even when connected, so we can reduce the number or serious accidents as well as the number of fatalities on our roads.