“This operation aims to alert drivers to the negative and even fatal consequences of improper use of mobile phones while driving. Handling and using mobile phones, smartphones, tablets or similar devices while driving causes visual distraction, limited manual availability and cognitive impairment”, the GNR said in a statement.
According to this authority, almost 75% of Portuguese people stated that they use their mobile phones while driving a study by Portuguese Road Safety, despite this causing a “decrease in the driver’s ability to be vigilant and distracted” and an “increase in reaction time”.
Other consequences of using a mobile phone while driving, according to the GNR, are a “poor assessment of the vehicle’s position on the road”, “difficulty decoding and memorising signals”, “failure to respect the rule of giving way”, not maintaining a safe distance or signalling a change of direction and an incorrect assessment of speed.
Thank goodness, it's about time they clamped down hard on this. EVERYONE around here uses their phone while driving, texting too!
By Ishbel from Beiras on 08 Oct 2024, 10:10
The GNR would need to be actually patrolling the roads to observe it happening rather than doing road blocks and thus giving the driver plenty of time to stop using the phone. It is not often I am out driving that I don't see at least one driver on the phone, weaving all over the road and massively fluctuating their speed.
By Stephen from Beiras on 08 Oct 2024, 10:44
It would be helpful if drivers in Portugal could be taught how to use indicators. It seems their hands/fingers don't quite stretch to the task.....
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 08 Oct 2024, 13:00