Banning the Use of Mobile Phones In Motor Vehicles - Case Study Example

Australian Automobile Association Banning the Use of Mobile Phones In Motor Vehicles to the Australian Government Contents Introduction to Australian Automobile Association……………………………………………..3 Banning the use of mobile phones in motor vehicles……………………………………….…....3 Background……………………………………………………………………………………....3 Analysis of the issue………………………………………………………………………..….…4 Recommendations…………………………………………………………..................................5 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………..…6 References…………………………………………………………………………………..……7 Introduction to Australian Automobile Association: The Australian Automobile Association was founded in 1924 with an aim to represent the Australian motorists at national and international level. It coordinates and manages the activities of its constituting motoring clubs and is also considered as the ‘official voice’ of Australian motoring. It has been successful in influencing the public policy and is known for its high quality services and benefits to more than 6.3 million members all over Australia. It undertakes research on a continuous basis to analyze the actual situation and reflect the opinions of motorist across Australia. AAA is a part of Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA), which represents more than 100 million people in approximately 120 countries. It also supports a range of programs both nationally and internationally such as ANCAP, Australia’s best cars etc to promote driver and road safety, environmental protection as well as sustainable mobility. Banning the use of mobile phones in motor vehicles: In this submission, concerns regarding the use of mobile phones while driving have been discussed in order to present a safe system approach for safer drivers and safer environment. The pushing implementation of the tough policy with a total ban on the use of mobile phones in vehicles is opposed by AAA. First of all, mobile phones are an important means of communication. The distraction caused by mobile phones cannot be overlooked but there are many benefits as well. It provides valuable security and assistance in emergency situations. Moreover, in this rapidly growing world it is almost impossible to stop people from the usage of mobile phones in vehicles. According to a survey, between 2009 and 2010, approximately 50,000 drivers have been fined more than $11 million for texting, calling, receiving their phones. Hence, the government should seek other ways for road safety such as the introduction of driver education programs, systematic assessment of risk levels for safety improvement etc. Background: The discussion regarding the impact of mobile phones while driving and its contribution towards the increased risk of accidents is increasing day by day. In the recent years, due to the advancements in the mobile sector, particular attention is being paid to the use of mobile phones. This has given rise to the concerns about the potential impact and role of mobile phones in a collision risk. Although, there are many safety issues involved with the mobile devices the implied benefits are also present. It may increase the productivity and efficiency of the employee by increasing the responsiveness to its clients and other coworkers. A mobile phone with GPS (Global Positioning System) can save a lot of time if a person is lost. However, researches have mostly shown the negative consequences of using mobile phones as a secondary task while driving. In Australia, on an average 1700 people die on Australians road each year and the ban on hand-held mobiles has been enforced since 1999. Analysis of the issue: Although driving is a very complex task, drivers are usually engaged in many other activities such as talking on the phone or with the passengers, listening to radio etc. According to the research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver inattention contributes to about 25 percent of police-reported crashes. However, as more wireless communication, entertainment and driver assistance systems proliferate the vehicle market, it is probable that the rate of distraction-related crashes will escalate (Stutts et al., 2001). The level of risk and danger involved in the use of mobile phones in vehicles cannot be denied. Many studies have found that using a mobile phone while driving poses a risk of being in collision by more than four times. It has been suggested that both the physical and mental distraction due to the use of mobile phones while driving significantly affects and impairs the driver’s visual search pattern, decision making and speed maintenance ability, reaction times etc. But the most important aspect to be understood is that there are many other forms of distractions apart from cell phones such as the things outside the car, adjusting the radio, vehicle controls, eating, drinking etc. The policy makers have only viewed one side of the prohibitions of mobile phones in vehicles such as the reduction in property loss, injuries and fatalities. The convenience of using these devices is not considered. This implies that quantifying the costs and benefits of this issue is complicated and should involve a number of inputs including the extent to which the use of mobile phone increases the chances of road crash, the amount of time used by the drivers to operate the mobile devices and the incremental value of making calls while driving. All these elements should be taken into account in order to determine the positive or negative impact of the mobile phones. Two prominent studies regarding the use of mobile phones in motor vehicles have suggested that the practice should not be banned. The government plans to cut the road crashes by 30 percent by 2020 and this proposal of banning the mobile phones is a part of it. However, the Swedish government vision of ‘zero death’ is stronger than Australia’s vision of ‘"Safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe people". According to Broberg, the senior safety advisor from Sweden, says that hands-free mobile phone was too big a distraction in the car was not valid. ‘Passengers are also a distraction in the car, so what do we do, ban them too?’’. Similarly the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said: “Focusing on mobile phones isnt the same as focusing on distracted driving. Distraction is what has always caused car crashes and mobile phones dont appear to be adding to that." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administered has shown that about 31.44% of road crashes are related to speeding problems. Thus, the evidence demonstrates that mobile phone ban is a result of misguided judgment. It is the negligence of the driver that causes accidents and these instruments should not be blamed alone. Recommendations: Here are a few recommendations on the basis of the above analysis for the Government of Australia: The target for fatality and injury reductions is less and should be increased to 50 percent. The government should develop an action plan in order to reduce the driving distractions by improving the infrastructure rather than lowering the speed limits and imposing mobile phone bans. This forceful implementation of ban should be replaced by greater consideration to driver education programs which can act as a key element towards driver safety. The current laws should be implemented in a better way with responsibility, authority and accountability to achieve the desired outcomes. The Government should enforce strategies along with the use of speed camera technologies. The inherent safety of road should be improved to provide safe mobility. A comprehensive education program should be initiated to create more awareness of driver distraction issues particularly among the younger drivers. The use of seatbelts and other regulatory means should be examined for all drivers. Conclusion: This submission concludes the fact that there are many sources of distraction that one has to drive with and the most dangerous of those include manual and visual distractions. The use of mobile phones is a tricky issue but government should strive to create a skilled driving culture. They should educate and promote good behaviour. People should take the driving task more seriously and the personal responsibility of every citizen can play a vital role in this regard. This world is loaded with ‘social’ enabling technology and it is very difficult to implement such tough bans. This suggests that the long term answers to the dangers of distraction are education and training, an effective policy and the people itself. Bibliography AAA.2011. ‘About Us’. Retrieved at: http://www.aaa.asn.au/about/default.htm, viewed 5th April 2011 AAA. 2011. ‘Submission to the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020.’ Retrieved at: http://www.aaa.asn.au/documents/submissions%2F2011%2FAAA%20Submission%20to%20the%20draft%20NRSS%202011-20.pdf,viewed 5th May, 2011 Brace, C.L., Young, K.L., & and Regan, M.A. (2007). Analysis of the literature: The use of mobile phones while driving. Victoria, Australia: Monash University Accident Research Centre. Channel News- Australia. 2011. ‘Total Ban on Mobile Phones in Vehicles Now Being Considered.’ Retrieved at: http://www.channelnews.com.au/Communication/Industry/M2A3J6V3?page=1, viewed 5th may 2011. Lissy, K.S. et al. (2000). Cellular Phone use While Driving: Risks and Benefits. Harvard Centre for Risk Analysis, Harvard School of Public Health. Boston, MA. Redelmeier, D.A. and Tibshirani, R.J. (1997). “Association between cellular telephone calls and motor vehicle collisions.” The New England Journal of Medicine 336(7): 453-458. The Age. 2010. ‘Don’t ban mobile phones in cars: Volvo.’ Retrieved at: http://theage.drive.com.au/roads-and-traffic/dont-ban-mobile-phones-in-cars-volvo-20101208-18phd.html, viewed 5th April 2011. Young, K., Regan, M. & Hammer, M. (2003) Driver distraction: a review of the literature, Monash University Accident Research Centre, Report No. 206. Read More