In Argentina, the government of the province of Córdoba has decided to fight against the use of the telephone while driving through a new shock campaign. Crashed vehicles are placed in front of messaging icons, with the slogan “drive or write”.
Mobile phone use while driving is a widespread scourge on our roads, and one only has to peek through the windows of the cars around us every day to see it. The risk of an accident is however multiplied by three because of the distraction it causes while driving. In an attempt to stem the phenomenon, the government of the province of Córdoba (Argentina) has installed new kind of prevention signs at the side of the roads.
“Write messages or drive, you have to choose.” In Argentina, the C rdoba police do not shy away from the means to educate motorists and encourage them not to use their smartphone while driving. Campaign designed by the JPG agency. pic.twitter.com/m0D7v9gq6x
– culturepub (@culturepub) August 11, 2021
Installed on high poles, damaged vehicles (including a still recognizable Fiat Panda) are accompanied by a messaging application or social network logo used on a smartphone. Easy to recognize, they represent Facebook and WhatsApp and are built into the hoods of cars. What make it clear that they are at the origin of the accident. Below, the message “ Manejas o mensajeas ”, Which simply means“ to drive or write ”. A simple but effective campaign to raise awareness of the risks of using the phone while driving. This campaign is reminiscent of the intervention vans of the motorway services exposed on certain rest areas in summer.
Using the phone while driving is too distracting
If the smartphone is an ally of driving in certain cases such as navigation or warning of speed camera zones, it is also used for other purposes while driving: calls, SMS, consultation of various social networks or videos, music management … However, even when connected via Bluetooth, the phone is unfortunately the source of too many distractions. These can be visual, cognitive, physical or auditory and make the driver less aware of his surroundings since this one is concentrated on his telephone conversation or his screen. It is also not uncommon to see some drivers on the phone zigzagging in one or two lanes, slowing down for no apparent reason or being inattentive to signs and pedestrians. The phone also increases reaction and braking time, sometimes leading to drama. When you are behind the wheel, the best solution is therefore to leave it aside or to park in a secure place to answer.
TO READ. Are anti-traffic jam applications effective?
