Contributed by: Heinrich du Preez - Pretoria 

As all motorists should be aware, the use of cellular telephones is not permitted while operating any vehicle on South African roads.

The real question is: “Do these motorists really know why this has been enforced?”

 I have heard so many arguments including the one that you cannot concentrate on the road while concentrating on a phone call. If this was the one and only reason we would not have been allowed to have passengers in our cars, since the interacting with them would have taken our concentration away from the road.

The most important reason for the implementation of such a law is to enforce the keeping of both hands on a steering wheel at all times when driving. Learner drivers are taught that the ideal position for hands should be “ten to two” in reference to the hands of a clock. This is the safest positions for your hands whilst driving to enable you to stay in control of your vehicle.

When you have a cell phone in one of your hands, it limits your control of the vehicle. If you only have one hand on the steering wheel, the force applied to the steering wheel via the front wheels can pull the steering wheel from your grip, thus causing you to loose control of the vehicle.

The same applies for any other hand held object whilst driving. This includes electrical shavers, lipstick and cigarettes. Make sure you are always in charge of your vehicle, and in charge of your life.