Opinion

Don'T Dial and Drive

By CHRISTINE CUNANAN-NOMURA

The National Police Agency recently reported that drivers using cellular phones caused 2,297 traffic accidents last year. These accidents resulted in the deaths of 25 people and injuries to another 3,328 people.

The agency said that 74.5 percent of the drivers involved had smashed into the cars in front of them while using their telephones. In other words, many victims' cars were bumped from behind by drivers who were talking on their phones without realizing they were heading for a collision. Some 30.6 percent of the drivers — the largest group involved — were between 16 and 24 years old.

Accidents due to cellular phone use are both grievous and inexcusable.

Traffic accidents caused by natural calamities, bad road conditions or engine failure sometimes cannot be helped. However an accident caused by careless, unfocused driving — as by someone not concentrating on the road because he or she is too engrossed in a phone conversation — is unjustifiable.

Young people should realize that each time they get behind the wheel of a car they are putting their own lives and other people's lives at risk — especially if they drive after drinking alcohol or while using a cellular phone.

Driving a car has become so matter-of-fact that few people are aware of the possible risks involved. However it is often said that the odds of dying in a car accident are much greater than the odds of dying in an airplane accident, although most people would never think so.

A car accident can change people's lives irreparably, and oftentimes the victims suffer much more than the driver. Many victims end up recovering in a hospital for weeks or months. In the most serious cases, victims become paralyzed, lose some part of their body or even die.

After realizing how much damage and pain have been caused, the driver is usually very sorry about his or her carelessness and resolves to drive more carefully. Unfortunately, it's too late. Someone's life has already been changed unnecessarily.

Cellular phones are excellent inventions that have made lives convenient to a degree previously unimaginable for many people. These phones are invaluable for business, emergencies and for just keeping in touch with friends and loved ones. For instance, many mothers are now happy that they can contact their children whenever these sons and daughters are late or are away from home.

Driving, too, has become accessible to most people — particularly in Japan, where cars are more affordable in relation to people's incomes. Many college students and young people can easily buy a car.

Carelessly combining driving with cellular phone use, however, can obviously have dangerous and tragic results. So young people who want to do both simultaneously should only do so carefully. Don't use the cellular phone for chatting needlessly while driving. If you have to talk to someone at length, stop your car by the street curb first. Or just don't dial and drive at the same time! Put your and other people's safety first.

Shukan ST: April 24, 1998

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