Dubai: You are driving down Shaikh Zayed Road, when you suddenly hear a beep. Your best friend has sent you a message. What do you do?
If your answer was to ignore your phone, you have just avoided a potential fine of Dh800 and four black points on your licence.
According to a Gulf News report published in April, more than 16,000 motorists were fined in Dubai alone for using their phones while driving in just the first three months of this year.
But some bad habits die hard, and the habit of mobile phone use while driving seems to die hardest of all, some motorists admit.
Amal Yaqoob, a sales executive based in Sharjah, is one of those who would pick up the phone, check the text message and respond, all while driving.
She said: “If a person is calling me, I cannot ignore it. I also use the phone to take pictures, listen to music or navigation.”
She confesses to only doing so when stuck in traffic and even though she knows it is dangeorus, she cannot stop. She once hit a dog because she was distracted.
She said: “I was so scared, but thankfully the dog was fine. This was three months ago, and since then I have cut down on the habit.”
Competitive edge?
Larith Adiyeri, a sales officer based in Sharjah, drives a lot for work. So, if he receives a call, he has to answer.
He said: “I cannot ignore calls if I’m driving from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi — that is two hours. Clients don’t wait. My field is competitive.”
His wife has asked him to stop several times, and he says he understands her concern. To try and reduce the risk, he now uses bluetooth.
He said: “Accidents can happen in a fraction of a second, I understand the consequences.”
Muzaffar Ali, a sales executive based in Sharjah, claims to be in a similar situation. He has to respond to work emails immediately.
He said: “That is usually why I do it, or sometimes I will answer a call from a family member.”
But, on speaking to him further, he confessed to listening to music on his phone. Aware of all the consequences, he has decided to reduce the habit.
Runaround, with voice commands
Jeffrey Pascual, a leasing officer based in Dubai, has found a way around it by using Siri, a smart application that works based on voice commands.
Pascual said: “I ask the application to read out my messages and even command it to type for me. It is an innovative way to go hands-free.”
In his opinion, every second counts and checking your phone while driving is similar to a matter of “life and death”.
Alden Fernandes, a student based in Dubai, is convinced that this habit is an addiction and compares it to smoking.
He said: “Despite there being a tax on it, people still continue to smoke. The only way motorists will stop texting is if something bad happens.”
His best friend is addicted to the habit and despite Fernandes’ efforts, he refuses to stop. “He says he is a good driver and will be fine,” Fernandes added.
