• About
  • Contact
  • Contact Us

Follow my adventures at @cheryltaysg!


We should have a ‘Don’t Text and Drive’ campaign

0 Comment
 22 Jun 2015   Posted by Cheryl Tay


Simply holding a mobile device in your hand in the driver’s seat can land you in jail. That’s right – I repeat – you can end up behind bars for holding your phone while at the wheel. Not just your phone, but any mobile telecommunication devices (including tablets) are not allowed to be held as long as the car is moving.

Technically, it is not an offence to use your mobile device when the car is not moving but I think it would be a better idea not to risk it at all. Traffic regulations have been revised specifically, whereby not just calling or texting, but browsing of the internet or any social media platforms on your mobile device are deemed illegal. You can however, mount your phone to your dashboard.

I understand the logic behind such a harsh traffic act – using the mobile phone while driving distracts you and takes your attention away from the road. That compromises safety of not just the driver and his passengers, but other motorists and pedestrians as well.

Therefore, this brings me to my point – why are there no public awareness campaigns for anti-usage of mobile devices while driving? 

Just like the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ campaigns we see from liquor and insurance brands as part of their corporate social responsibility, wouldn’t it be pretty logical if a mobile communication and media device manufacturer back a ‘Don’t Text and Drive’ or ‘Don’t Update Status and Drive’ campaign?

More than 2,500 drink drivers were arrested between January to October 2014 (with 12 deaths), compared to 3,354 summons were issued for using mobile phones while driving last year. These are not small numbers and I feel these figures are pretty justifiable for a nationwide campaign backed by either the authorities or private companies.

An anti-handphone driving campaign should serve as a reminder of the dangers of using your mobile phone while driving. I can picture the advertisement in my head already – with someone updating his Facebook status at the wheel and looking up just in time to rear end the car in front or worse, knock someone down. It is equally serious as drink driving, in my opinion.

If you are guilty of using your mobile phone while driving, just think about it. How is a text or an email more important than your life or the lives of others? How is your phone more important than the people that you love? You could easily get your passengers killed too.

AT&T did a survey in America previously of frequent drivers who text when they drive. The survey findings revealed that 98 percent were aware of the dangers of texting behind the wheel but yet, 75 percent admitted to texting while driving. Reading a text, sending out a text, scrolling News Feeds, updating statues – these are some of the common things people do on their phones, especially at a red light or stop sign.

There are broad public education campaigns in other parts of the world and this is something I think Singapore needs. Like how anti-drink driving movements reduced the incidences of offence over the years, I believe a similar campaign for mobile devices at the wheel will work just as well.

I have seen a lot of articles in the media about how life-threatening it is to use your phone and drive, but I would like to see an electronics giant step up to the plate and launch a major islandwide campaign to discourage the usage of mobile devices while driving.

*This was first published in Wheels Asia. 

Related Posts

  • My F1 Singapore piece on SpeedhuntersMy F1 Singapore piece on Speedhunters
  • [FITFIND] Farreez Rosman[FITFIND] Farreez Rosman
  • Active walking: Strengthen your feet without tiring them outActive walking: Strengthen your feet without tiring them out
  • YWLC celebrates International Women’s Day 2014YWLC celebrates International Women’s Day 2014
  • New Audi models for 2014New Audi models for 2014
Written by Cheryl Tay

  • Search Cheryl Tay’s posts

  • About Cheryl Tay

    563588_392090887491821_131620790205500_1178808_177312844_n_resized


    First establishing herself in the world of cars and motorsports, Cheryl Tay is a sports and fitness blogger who advocates living an active and healthy lifestyle. Founder of body image movement Rock The Naked Truth, Cheryl overcame over a decade of eating disorders and is now passionate about helping people with similar struggles. She also has a running club ROCKrunners and a tri-enthusiast club ROCKtri.

    Rock The Naked Truth encourages others to be comfortable in their own skin and to learn that there is more to life than just being a slave to the numbers on your scale. Truly, life has more meaning than just forcing yourself to look good - it's most important to be happy and feel good about yourself!

    Previously...
    > Fitness columnist for Yahoo! Sports
    > Founder of ELITE (fitness competition)
    > Motoring writer for TODAY
    > Columnist for Rev / Run magazines
    > Official photographer for ONE Championship
    > Media manager for Formula Drift Asia
    > PR manager for PETRONAS Syntium Team
    > Business development for Kartright Speedway
    > F1 youth speaker for Singapore GP
  • Recent Posts

    • Ironman 70.3 Desaru 2022
    • Road to the BMW Berlin Marathon 2022 starts here
    • Our Spain itinerary
    • Pandemic travel tips
    • REVIEW: Skechers GO RUN 8
  • Archives

    • 2022 (6)
      • July (1)
      • April (1)
      • March (2)
      • January (2)
    • 2021 (12)
      • December (2)
      • November (2)
      • October (2)
      • July (1)
      • June (2)
      • April (1)
      • March (1)
      • January (1)
    • 2020 (14)
      • November (1)
      • September (2)
      • August (1)
      • July (1)
      • April (4)
      • March (1)
      • February (2)
      • January (2)
    • 2019 (23)
      • December (4)
      • November (3)
      • October (5)
      • September (1)
      • August (1)
      • June (3)
      • May (2)
      • April (1)
      • March (1)
      • February (1)
      • January (1)
    • 2018 (21)
      • November (2)
      • October (1)
      • September (1)
      • August (1)
      • July (3)
      • June (2)
      • May (3)
      • April (1)
      • March (3)
      • February (3)
      • January (1)
    • 2017 (35)
      • December (1)
      • November (4)
      • October (4)
      • September (5)
      • August (5)
      • July (3)
      • May (7)
      • March (2)
      • February (1)
      • January (3)
    • 2016 (55)
      • December (7)
      • November (3)
      • October (3)
      • September (5)
      • August (2)
      • July (3)
      • June (2)
      • May (5)
      • April (1)
      • March (7)
      • February (8)
      • January (9)
    • 2015 (149)
      • December (4)
      • November (8)
      • October (12)
      • September (15)
      • August (19)
      • July (16)
      • June (16)
      • May (16)
      • April (8)
      • March (13)
      • February (14)
      • January (8)
    • 2014 (469)
      • December (16)
      • November (26)
      • October (20)
      • September (16)
      • August (38)
      • July (52)
      • June (64)
      • May (71)
      • April (49)
      • March (55)
      • February (29)
      • January (33)
    • 2013 (135)
      • December (23)
      • November (30)
      • October (31)
      • September (38)
      • August (13)
  • This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

    Error: No feed found.

    Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.




Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Tay. All Rights Reserved.