by: Rosanna M. Tubelonia, OSH Trainer and Accredited Safety Practitioner
Sure, the Philippines is the 2nd texting capital in the world. Three of our ciites (Makati, Mandaluyong and Cebu) even got the distinction of being among the top ten “selfie” cities in the world. But I bet, there were occasions when you’ve seen a vehicle slow down or weave around traffic only to “see” that the driver was busy with his cellphone. I did and in several occasions. At one time, I was the passenger of the van where the driver was alternately texting or having a conversation over his mobile phone while we were traversing the North Luzon Express (NLEX). I was in front so I had to gently remind the driver that our lives as passengers are in his hands, and that to concentrate on driving. He just gave me a sour look (“Tumingin nang masama sa akin” in Pilipino), but he stopped fiddling with his cellphone so it was worth calling his attention.
I don’t know the data in our country on accidents involving drivers found to be either texting or talking while driving but it must be significant. In the US, it is said that more than 90 people are killed every day with more than 1,060 people injured in crashes that involved “distracted drivers’. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes attention away from driving. It can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.
There are said to be three types of main distractions:
- Visual- taking your eyes off the road;
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel; and
- Cognitive- taking your mind off driving.
Distracted driving activities include things like using a mobile phone; texting; eating and drinking (coke, coffee or tea and sometimes, alcoholic drink which is way much worse). Even the use of hands-free cellphones can also distract the driver enough for an accident to happen. In the US and other developed countries, the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in cars can pose dangers. Though the GPS in cars is not yet prevalent in the country, I expect it to be common in 2-3 years time. As of today, they already carry warnings that the use of the GPS while on the road can cause accidents.
In particular, texting is a high-risk activity since it involves all three types of distractions; visual, since you have to look at your cellphone to read the message; manual- you have to tweak your cellphone either to navigate the phone in reading or in replying to text messages; and cognitive- your mind has to process the data on what you have read and/or to compose a reply to said message. Time of distraction can be as small as a few seconds but we in the OSH community especially knows that it only takes as few as a second for an accident to happen.
What Can be Done?
Measures are at a personal, company or even at the regulatory level.
If one drives, personal measures include informing families or significant others that you will be driving at these specific times and that NOT to expect any immediate replies (by text or call) at such times. And that text or call should only be for emergencies. If one is the driver, you should stop the car (or vehicle) at the curb so you can safely answer or respond to a text or a call. That way, you cannot cause an accident to yourself or to others. If you are a passenger and your driver engages in texting or calling, gently remind him of the dangers inherent in what he is doing. Never, never, ever berate the driver because that will only add to the distraction. An angry or “napahiyang” driver will most likely go faster or bumpier just to further irritate you.
Companies can institute a no texting or no use of cellphone policy when a company driver is driving.
Local government Units (LGUs) can pass ordinances prohibiting the use of cellphones while driving. This is already done in many states in the US and in other developed countries.
Let us learn from the experience of other countries and institute proactive measures at this time for such preventable tragedies.
