Case against Cellphone on Wheel

There should be tougher sanctions against Nigerians who use mobile phones while driving because they are killing tens of people daily.
Cellphone technology is supposed to help us carry out the tasks of daily life but using it while driving is dangerous and stupid.
Today, there are nearly 70 million telephone lines, all playing integral roles in the lives and businesses of the owners.
Concerned authorities, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigeria Police and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) must however review the convenience the cellphones offer against the hazards they pose.
Experts said that there are two dangers associated with driving and cellphone use, including text messaging.
First, drivers must take their eyes off the road while dialing. Second, people can become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired, jeopardizing the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
The distraction of using a cell phone while driving is the same as fiddling with the radio, dealing with kids and pets, applying make-up, eating and so on.
Nigeria has banned the ban on use of mobile phone while driving but many have continued to ignore the law leaving tears, blood and avoidable damages in their wake.
Official statistics are hard to come by and are rarely reliable; it is generally believed that cell phone distraction causes more accidents in urban cities than drunk driving.
About 5, 157 deaths occurred in road traffic accidents across Nigeria over the last three years, according to Mr. Osita Chidoka, corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
Many of the deaths are preventable and are caused by sheer recklessness.
To save further loss of lives due to irresponsibility of some drivers, it is important that there is strict enforcement of the law against driving and cellphone.
FRSC and other law enforcement agencies can enforce a ban on hand held cell phones as easily as they do with seat belts - they are very easy to notice.
But well meaning Nigerians must not wait for the law. They should start acting responsibility now and avoid putting other motorists and Nigerians in dangers.
The FRSC should embark on a nationwide public enlightenment exercise on the dangers of driving, smoking, talking and texting on the mobile phone.