Negligent driving and distractions are major causes of road crashes around the world; and it is no different on the N3 Toll Route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
N3 Toll Concession (N3TC), the company managing the N3 Toll Route, has noticed that numerous drivers continue to use their mobile devices while traveling at high speed on this national route.<\/p>
\u201cAlthough legislation is in place to deter the use of mobile devices while driving, it is extremely difficult to enforce.<\/p>\n
“The only real solution, to successfully address these safety risks, is self-regulation \u2013 people taking individual responsibility to defer from using cellphones while being in the driver seat,\u201d said Andy Visser, marketing manager at N3TC.<\/p>
In Canada the risks were highlighted through driving simulators.<\/p>\n
The simulators showed clearly how smartphones impede driving, reported Canadian publication, mobile enforcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTests have shown that you are four times more likely to crash when talking on a handheld, and 23 times more likely to crash when you text while driving.<\/p>\n
“Using a device while driving is considered as dangerous as driving drunk,\u201d siad Visser on the article.<\/p>\n
It is with this reality in mind that N3TC, in partnership with the Arrive Alive digital team, have embarked on an awareness campaign to encourage drivers to #bootyourmobile.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to contribute to a mindset change in society,\u201d added Visser.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent years we have found the desire to be online and connected at all times significantly contributes to road crashes.<\/p>\n
“Drivers not only talk, but perform a wide range of activities \u2013 texting, social networking, browsing on the internet and inputting navigational data \u2013 while at the wheel.<\/p>\n
“These activities cause severe distraction which not only threaten drivers, but all road users, including passengers, cyclists, bikers and pedestrians.<\/p>\n
“We strongly encourage you to end your conversations, before it ends a life,\u201d says Johan Jonck of the Arrive Alive digital team.<\/p>\n
N3TC appeals to every driver to speak out and take responsibility to stop this scourge.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnoring the obvious dangers constitutes nothing less than willful blindness.<\/p>\n
“You do so at your peril,\u201d said Visser.<\/p>\n
N3TC is responsible for a 415km stretch of the N3 between Heidelberg in Gauteng and Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal, known as the N3 Toll Route.<\/p>\n
The N3 Toll Route traverses four of South Africa\u2019s provinces \u2013 Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n