Finns are commonly using mobile phones (handies) while driving. Traffic code is a bit unclear, since
"when the car is not moving" one can use the phone. Traffic lights etc.
Otherwise the fine is 100€, but that does not stop the usage.
Now, the traffic experts call for general condemnation among drivers like against drinking and speeding.
Ok, public opinion is a strong influencer. However, how to publicly show your disapproval of hand phone use.
Education and social media influencing might take years to deliver visible changes to the traffic behaviour.
Here´s an example from 1990s, "the Commonwealth way":
In 1995 thousands of rugby fans around the world were packed to Hong Kong Stadium to watch annual Rugby Sevens. Now and then a cellphone rang and a poor guy answered to the phone, especially in famous South Stand. Hundreds of spectators pointed him/her and started to sing loud: ”Who´s the w..ker on the phone?” At the same time the tv director put the incident on stadium´s big screen! Very rude, but effective.
(Rugby Sevens is moving in 2024 to a new Stadium on Harbour Side, to the old Kai Tak airport area.)
Should we start in Finland to place ”Phone W..anker” bumper stickers to the cars of the phone-while-driving fellow citizens? I believe, that Finland would be a big market for bumper stickers for few months! ;)
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 1993
Epilogue
I have learned during my 20 years in cellular industry, that mobile phone is a target for safety of driving. I am to blame, that Singapore Traffice Code was changed already in 1989 to have mandatory cellphone hands free in cars for the driver. N.b. mobile phones were very very basic, no applications and internet access. Just talking and text messaging.
Using mobile phone today while driving (SMS, social media, news browsing etc.) is really dangerous.
However, eating and drinking, manipulating touch screen and navigator AND using closed Bluetooth headset for music/book listening while driving is ok. How cool is that? Well, it is not ok, but the line has now been drawn between cellphones and rest of interactive gadgets in a car. Probably traffic police has given up. This would be too difficult to control (withou AI, of course).
Safe driving to all!
PS. No AI has been used to write this column.
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