‘70% of minor car accidents caused by motorists using phones’

AMMAN — Up to 70 per cent of minor car accidents are caused by motorists using their mobile phones, an official said on Sunday.

Traffic police issue thousands of tickets every day to motorists who use mobile phones while driving, Central Traffic Department Director Col. Yaser Harahsheh told The Jordan Times.

Nonetheless, car accidents resulting from the use of mobile phones are difficult to prove unless the driver confesses, he noted. 

Besides the risk of car accidents, motorists caught holding mobile phones face a JD15 penalty, which Harahsheh says should be increased. 

In some countries in the region, the penalty for using mobile phones while driving reaches JD100, he said, adding that large fines could make a motorist think twice before repeating a violation.

Even if drivers use hand free devices, they may lose focus while driving, for example, if they receive bad news during the call, he said. 

Citing specialised studies, the official noted that motorists drive 30 metres during each second of lost focus, stressing that it is “very risky” to drive this distance absentmindedly.  

“You can clearly tell if the motorist ahead of you is using a mobile phone,” Harahsheh said, explaining that the car would swing right and left and the driver would suddenly change lanes.

Motorist Amjad Smeirat said the spread of mobile phones and the use of smart apps has “invaded” Jordan and the entire world, but must not prevail behind the wheel.

“I don’t mind if everyone keeps their eyes on their mobiles all day, but not when their own safety and the safety of other motorists and pedestrians is involved,” he told The Jordan Times.

Mohammad Balqar agreed, adding that he uses Bluetooth headsets to make necessary phone calls while driving, but he never texts and drives.

“I avoid many car accidents everyday when other motorists using their phones lose track of the road or fail to abide by the speed limit,” he said.