Lurking dangers of mobile phones

The mobile telephone has proved to be an effective tool for people of all ages the world over. After the first hand-held mobile phone was invented by Dr. Martin Cooper, an American, way back in 1973, it took another 10 years for a mobile phone to be available on a commercial scale in the open market.

The mobile telephone enhanced efficiency and productivity and made an impact to improve time management among people. It is estimated that there are over six billion mobile subscribers worldwide at present, as the industry experienced a rapid growth during the past decade.

Poverty has not been a stumbling block as even those in the lower strata of society are now armed with mobile phones as the market is flooded with all kinds of brands at competitive and affordable prices on pre-paid connections as well. It is said that although nearly half of India's 1.2 billion people lack toilet facilities at home, a large percentage of them own mobile phones. According to the latest census data, only 46.9 percent of the 246.6 million Indian households have toilets while 49.8 percent defecate in public view.

This alone shows the unprecedented penetration of the mobile phone industry in all parts of the world, connecting people across continents within a matter of seconds.

Sri Lanka is no exception. It has five mobile service providers for over 20 million mobile telephone subscribers. The mobile phone which was once considered a luxury when it was first introduced to the local market is today the common man's most trusted tool and a significant way of life.

It was reported that there are 105 telephone connections for every 100 people in Sri Lanka. The country's mobile telephone industry penetrated further during the past three years following the liberation of the Northern and Eastern Provinces from the clutches of LTTE terror.

A recent study has disclosed that the use of mobile phones has increased rapidly among the country's poor and the mobile phone has become an almost indispensable business tool among small entrepreneurs and farmers.

Similar to any other invention, the mobile telephone has its pros and cons. Though there are widespread stories on the use of mobile phones causing brain cancer, nobody has so far proved it beyond any reasonable doubt. Mobile phones have proved to be a boon for detectives in the modern era of crime investigations. Vital data stored on mobile phones have often helped the police unravel crime and apprehend the suspects.

On the other hand, mobile phones have also contributed to many fatal road accidents. Operating mobile phones while driving is prohibited by law both here and abroad. However, it is observed more in the breach and heavy fines are imposed on motorists if they are found guilty.

Operating a mobile phone while driving is dangerous as the concentration of motorists could be impaired. However, motorists could use speaker phones or the hands-free facility. Nevertheless, the police advise motorists to refrain from using their mobile phones while driving due to the spate of accidents.

Motor cyclists are the worst offenders and they invariably get away scot free as they hide their mobile phones in their helmets. Even traffic policemen find it difficult to identify such offenders. Comparatively, the use of mobile phones in other vehicles could be detected easily. It has been observed that some motorists stop their mobile conversations for a while when they sight traffic policemen and continue their conversations thereafter.

These factors have led to a sharp increase in the number of road accidents. Any person should have full concentration while at the wheel. Hence, the best option is to stop the vehicle and answer the call without obstructing traffic. Although this would only take a few minutes of your travel time, it would not only ensure your safety, but also the safety of those in the vehicle and other road users.

The police should be extra vigilant on motorists who use mobile phones. The existing fines should be increased even further in a bid to discourage drivers from using mobile phones while driving.

It is a common sight today to see pedestrians using mobile phones, not only when walking on pavements, but even when crossing the road. Some obstreperous pedestrians who are glued to their mobile phones don't even bother to use pedestrian crossings at intersections.

Modern added features to mobile phones such as smart phones or tablets complicate this situation further. Pedestrians, mostly youth, are in a world of fantasy when using mobile smart phones, listening to music, browsing the web and accessing social networks such as Facebook. Using mobile phones to make video calls on Skype is also hazardous. Young pedestrians engrossed in conversations on mobile phones barely concentrate on the road, thereby putting motorists as well as their own lives at risk.

It is time the authorities ban people using mobile phones while walking on pavements, at least in urban areas. Not only motorists but pedestrians have also contributed to fatal road accidents by using mobile phones. Hence, the prevailing laws banning motorists from using mobile phones should be extended to pedestrians as well.

Should a pedestrian need to take a call, he should remain stationary as in the case of motorists. Such road ethics would definitely contribute to reduce the number of road accidents and save valuable lives.

An awareness program to educate people, especially youth, on the dangers of using mobile phones while driving or perambulating is the need of the hour. The school could be the best place for such an initiative as the students who leave school could take that message to society.

Road accidents have led to a frightful number of deaths daily. Although reckless driving is attributed to most deaths due to road accidents, it is no easy task for the police to ascertain as to how many of those drivers had been using mobile phones at the time of the accidents.

Hence, it is time we instil some self-discipline in us and refrain from using mobile phones on the move. This would help save thousands of lives - of both motorists and pedestrians. Rather than being fined by traffic policemen, it is far better to shed your old die-hard habit of using mobile phones while driving.

Pedestrians too could play a vital role in this regard. They should bear in mind that not only motorists should refrain from using mobile phones while driving. Pedestrians do not have any right whatsoever to use mobile phones while walking and risk the precious lives of other road users.