Drunk driving is a huge problem and a threat to road safety. The problem of texting while driving is one that both drivers and law enforcement overlook.
Research, locally and abroad show correlations between drunk driving and road accidents. A study of 52 young drivers at the University of North Carolina revealed higher rates of distractions while driving for this group (Foss & Goodwin, 2014).
The frequent type of distraction reported was using electronic devices while driving, followed by adjusting vehicle controls, and grooming (Foss & Goodwin, 2014).
Distraction may be up to 23 times more risky than focused driving (Karl et al., 2023). When compared to older, experienced drivers, young drivers’ immaturity and inexperience were found to increase the number of road accidents (Ferguson, 2014).
Similarly, a study at Tshwane University of Technology carried out at the intersections of George Mukhari Hospital (Tshwane) and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (Soweto) found that drivers ignore road rules by texting while driving. Using mobile devices was found to be the main driver distraction (Binda & Muronga, 2019).
It’s concerning that minibus taxis and bus drivers engage in this behaviour in a country like South Africa where many people rely on public transportation.
Subsequently, the youth, who are fans of mobile technology and social media make up most minibus taxi drivers. As the number of young people without formal jobs increases, e-hailing services are emerging as an easy way to earn money.
Young people are therefore accessing the latest vehicles, with the latest technology, and smartphones. Having multiple smartphones add to the dilemma by increasing the likelihood of accessing internet services while driving.
Seemingly, the explosion of automotive technologies like Bluetooth may contribute to distracted driving (Venter et al., 2016). When these factors are combined with inexperienced driving, an accident is predictable.
Perception is one of the several possible explanations for why drivers continue to engage in this risky behaviour. Vehicle built-in wireless technologies like Bluetooth create a perception that it’s normal than improper to use these devices while driving (British Columbia Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor, 2009).
Yet, driver performance is not only hampered by talking on the phone, but also by the interactions with voice-activated interfaces (Shinohara et al., 2010).
People think that they are not at risk when texting while driving, therefore worry less about the repercussions, and until the driver suffers the consequences of this behaviour; there is no evidence that links distraction to safety (Muronga et al., 2018).
These perceptions are flawed, and developmental psychologist Ellen Pastorino asserts that the human brain cannot focus entirely on two things at once due to cognitive load or the amount of mental activity that the brain can handle at any one time.
Therefore, the brain has less cognitive load to focus on driving while texting (Pastorino, 2012). The same is true for walking with two buckets of water in each hand, but it gets difficult to do so as more buckets are added.
Texting while driving affects every facet of road safety, it diverts the driver’s attention from the road and decreases their reaction time to possible hazards in the surroundings (Caird et al., 2014).
Using hand-held devices while driving is prohibited by law in South Africa. If caught, the driver faces a fine of up to R1000, including taking away their mobile device for up to 24 hours.
Nevertheless, these incidents do not attract much publicity and drivers continue to text while driving, believing that there are no penalties. Monitoring and visibility by law enforcement is a challenge and behaviour tends to return to its pre-enforcement state once drivers believe that there is no enforcement (Modipa, 2024).
Going forward, authorities should keep an eye on the drivers who violate the road rules. Road safety campaigns should also include slogans and messages related to texting and driving.
The government should allocate resources to driving education to change social norms. Road signs should be updated to reinforce the law. More research is still needed in this area.
Vusi Mthimkhulu Lecturer and Researcher, Department of Psychology, University of South Africa