Hello Mabs.
My partner always checks their phone at red robots and says it’s harmless because the car is not moving. The other day, a car nearly rolled into us because the driver was distracted at the light, and now it honestly makes me nervous every time we stop in traffic. Am I overreacting or is using your phone at a robot actually dangerous?
Mabs Answers
You are not overreacting at all. Even though the car is stationary, drivers still need to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
Traffic conditions can change within seconds. Cars move off suddenly, pedestrians step into the road, motorbikes filter through traffic, and emergencies happen unexpectedly. Looking down at a phone reduces reaction time and takes your focus away from the road environment.
There is also a personal safety concern. Distracted drivers at intersections are more vulnerable to smash-and-grab incidents and other dangers because their attention is elsewhere.
Safe driving is not only about what happens while the car is moving. Awareness and concentration matter every moment you are behind the wheel.
