The Dangers of Using a Mobile Phone While Driving and the Cartrack Camera Solution

Using a mobile phone while driving, even at low speeds or on quiet roads, can have serious consequences. Driving requires visual, physical, and cognitive concentration; however, using a mobile phone disrupts all three of these areas. Mobile phone use diverts the driver’s attention from the road (visual), reduces control of the steering (physical), and distracts the mind (cognitive).

 

1. Reduces alertness

As mentioned earlier, using a mobile phone disrupts visual, physical, and cognitive attention. The driver’s eyes shift from the road to the phone, at least one hand is taken off the steering wheel, and mental focus is divided. Concentration is further reduced, especially if the information on the phone requires the driver to think more deeply or affects the driver’s emotions. As concentration decreases and alertness is reduced, the response to the surrounding driving conditions also becomes slower.

 

2. Increases the risk of accidents

Driving while using a mobile phone can reduce control of the vehicle and slow down the response to surrounding conditions. If something sudden occurs, the driver becomes unprepared and their response becomes ineffective. The likelihood of an accident also becomes higher. In a matter of seconds, accidents caused by this negligence can result in significant losses, such as medical expenses and compensation for the driver and other affected parties, vehicle repair costs, and lost working hours.

 

 

3. Subject to criminal liability

Drivers can face legal sanctions if they operate a cell phone while driving. Law No. 2 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transportation, Article 106, states, "Every person who drives a motorized vehicle on the road is obliged to drive the vehicle properly and with full concentration." The use of cell phones is one of the prohibitions mentioned in the Explanation of Article 106. The penalty is a maximum of 3 months imprisonment or a maximum fine of IDR 750,000, as written in Article 283.

 

One way to prevent this risky behaviour is by installing a camera inside the driver’s cabin. Cartrack provides the Smart Cabin camera, which is not only used for live monitoring but also detects driver behaviour using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The camera automatically records when a driver is making a phone call while holding a mobile phone and triggers an in-cabin alert for the driver. Send us a message here for more information about Cartrack’s camera system and other features.