AsiaOne Article - Driving while on the phone is illegal...

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http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/Motorworld/Story/A1Story20080520-65950.html

Driving while on the phone is illegal...But what about... Eating? Shaving? Kissing?

Keeping both hands on the wheel, or eyes on the road, while driving is not a common practice among motorists here, given that many tend to eat, smoke or apply make-up at the same time.

This was what a poll of 50 motorists found.

The Sunday Times found that almost every driver had engaged in distracting activities while navigating the roads, ranging from reading to having a morning shave.

While it is clearly illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, the law does not specifically forbid other activities, such as eating or shaving, while driving.

Said lawyer Rajan Chettiar of Rajan Chettiar & Co: 'It is not illegal to eat, drink or shave while driving. But if the driver were to cause an accident, he will be in trouble.

'I don't think he can say that he was eating or shaving as a defence.'

Motorists who are caught driving without due care and attention can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to six months or both.

The same goes for a first-timer convicted of using a mobile phone while driving. But the latter may also be disqualified from driving or given 12 demerit points.

If he is lucky, he may get away with a fine of up to $230 plus 12 demerit points.

On top of that, his phone and SIM card may be seized for investigations and may also be forfeited by the court upon conviction.

In the past three years, more than 2,300 summonses were issued annually for cellphone-related driving offences.

Since the late 1990s, many cities in the United States have run public awareness campaigns to warn motorists against multi-tasking while driving.

It was estimated that up to half of the six million vehicle crashes that happened in the US each year were caused by distracted drivers.

Although there is no specific legislation here prohibiting eating, smoking and other activities while driving, the police said they can still take action against motorists who drive recklessly as a result of multi-tasking.

Said a police spokesman: 'We advise drivers to refrain from such activities while driving as taking their hand off the steering wheel, and eyes or attention away from the road, even momentarily, affects their ability to control the vehicle and react to changes in situations on the road.'

Additional reporting by Carmen Onggo and Terence Lee