A new bylaw prohibiting motorists from using their cell phones
while driving has come into effect today in the Western Cape as part of a
provincial campaign to reduce road deaths by half come 2014.
Motorists who are caught using their cell phones while
driving, including talking or texting, will face a hefty fine of R500 or
have their cell phones confiscated for 24 hours.
Distracted driving and cell phone use while driving in particular,
is proving to be a major contributing factor to road deaths on South African
roads. In 2011 1 321 road deaths occurred in the Western Cape alone.
Distracted driving is a major problem in South Africa and
should be taken seriously by motorists who engage in cell phone use while
driving. The bylaw will also hopefully set the precedent for the rest of the
country’s provinces to enforce stricter laws regarding distracted driving with
the aim to reduce deaths on our roads.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think that cell
phone use should be banned altogether while driving? Share your thoughts in the
comment box below…
News Source: News24
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