Digital distractions pose real danger on the roads

The recent, horrendous road accident in Ang Mo Kio jolted my memory of a similar accident long ago. (“Truck driver arrested after six-vehicle accident”; April 10)

The truck driver who slammed into a stationary car at a traffic junction said that his brakes had failed when he tried to stop. Did he ensure, however, that the brakes were fully functioning before he drove the huge vehicle onto the road each time? Were there no signs that the brakes were failing and that he should stop driving the truck?

Many years ago, a truck also ploughed into my car, crushing its boot and smashing the rear windscreen, after I had stopped at a junction for a red light, behind two other cars.

The impact caused a chain collision with the cars in front. Fortunately, there were no passengers in my car and no motorcycle had stopped between the cars. The driver said the same thing: The brakes did not work.

As a motorist, I have noticed another potential danger on our roads: Pedestrians who are glued to their digital devices while crossing our busy roads and traffic junctions, instead of paying attention to oncoming vehicles.

As a pedestrian, I know that motorists could sometimes fail to look out for me. I hope this mobile mindlessness will not be another accident waiting to happen.

Personal digital assistants can also be distracting in other situations.

Once, I saw a boy walking a big dog on a leash, but his eyes and mind were on his mobile phone.

A man walked by with a small dog, and had the presence of mind to ask the boy to secure his big dog. But the boy continued to use his phone.

The big dog broke loose suddenly, and he could not stop it from attacking the small dog. Fortunately, the man managed to push the big dog away and picked up his dog in time.

Today, digital distractions could pose a real and present danger to their users and others in public places.

While some may find social interaction or solace through such devices in our increasingly crowded country, they should be responsible and mindful of the danger they could be posing to others and themselves while driving or walking on the roads.