Ban on phones while driving needs strict implementation

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Mon, 07/19/2010 9:25 AM

Headlines

Depending on the degree of assertiveness in enforcing the law, cities around the world have experienced different results in implementing regulation that bans messaging and phoning while driving.

A recent study by the US-based Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) showed the implementation of such laws in Canada proved effective in reducing crashes by four times in line with declining hand-held phone use while driving.

HLDI’s researchers found that the main factor of the country’s key to success lay in consistently punishing violators with fines ranging from C$100 (US$94.9) to C$180.

However, the HLDI reported no reduction in crashes after mobile phone bans took effect in about 17 states in the US.

Comparing insurance claims for crash damage in four US jurisdictions before and after such bans, researchers found steady claim rates compared with nearby jurisdictions without similar bans.

“The laws aren’t reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use, and several studies have established that phoning while driving increases crash risk,” the president director of both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and HLDI, Adrian Lund, was quoted as saying by news portal moneytimes.com.

Therefore, by adapting the Canadian law, the state of Washington last month boosted the use of a hand-held cell phones while driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense, which meant police could pull drivers over if they find the latter using a hand-held device.

The law also prohibits new drivers from using any type of phones, including the use of hands-free ones. Violators are punished with a $124 fine.

Nevertheless, similar to Canada’s law, the US law exempts anyone messaging or calling to report illegal activity or summoning emergency help and truck as well as emergency vehicles drivers.

As of July 2010, 30 states have banned messaging while driving, with Kentucky the most recent addition on July 15. Meanwhile, across the Pacific Ocean, Tokyo police has also proven that a law that bans people from using a mobile phone for calling, messaging and reading, reduces crash risk.

The law, which has been implemented since November 1999, stipulates a ¥5,000 ($57.85) fine for violators on small motorcycles, a ¥6,000 fine for those in cars and on large motorcycles and a ¥7,000 fine for violators in trucks and buses. About 3,600 drivers were caught using mobile phones while driving on the day the revised road traffic law came into effect.

In India, only some states have implemented the ban, including New Delhi — where a total ban of cell phone for drivers has been imposed, with violators facing a 1,000 rupee ($21) fine — and Andhra Pradesh, which enforces prison sentences for violators. Malaysia enforces a 300 ringgit ($90) fine for violators of the cell phone ban.

Unfortunately in Indonesia, there is no law that specifically regulates this matter. The 2009 Traffic and Public Transportation Law only stipulates that drivers must pay full attention when driving or riding or face a month in prison or pay Rp 750,000 ($83) in fines. University of Indonesia transportation expert Tri Tjahjono said this also included cell phone use. He urged law enforcement agencies to be more assertive in issuing tickets to violators who used their phones while driving. estimated drivers’ inattentiveness was a factor in between 20 and 50 percent of all crashes worldwide. (rch)