School is out but Malta and the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining are keeping road users ‘in the know’ with tips and advice on how to stay safe this Summer. Look out for this weekly Road Safety highlight for more information.
The traffic during commuting hours is moving at a snail’s pace so it seems like a perfect time to catch up on emails, touch up makeup, make phone calls or even eat breakfast, right? Wrong. Inattention or diverted attention is a leading cause of road crashes in Jamaica, with a staggering 3,966 collisions recorded by the Road Safety Unit within the past three decades. Many road users are unaware that their seemingly innocent multitasking may be punishable by law.
“Multitasking while driving increases the likelihood of a motor vehicle crash,” said Kenute Hare, director of the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining. “Simple measures and planning can ensure that you are alert at all times when driving, minimising the possibility of split-second life threatening mishaps.”
MINIMISING DISTRACTION
Here are a few tips on how to minimise distracted driving:
– Use your cell phone for emergency situations only. Even the use of a hands-free device can distract you from audio-visual cues necessary to avoid accidents. Jamaican law dictates that the ‘usage’ of any ‘electronic communication’ which may foster distracted driving is strictly prohibited.
– Understand the controls in the car. Familiarise yourself with frequently used switches such as windshield wipers, windshield washers, headlights and indicators before you begin your journey. Searching for these switches while navigating traffic divides your attention which can result in a road crash. If you are unable to find these switches quickly, pull over and locate them and proceed along your journey.
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