Transport Expert Raises Alarm Over Mobile Phone Use While Driving, Urges Stronger Road Safety Measures

A transportation expert and road safety advocate, Dr. El-Taofik Yusuf of the University of Greenwich, London, has warned that the increasing use of mobile phones while driving poses a serious threat to road safety and requires urgent action from both authorities and motorists.

Dr. Yusuf made the call while highlighting the dangers of distracted driving, describing motorists who use mobile phones behind the wheel as risks not only to themselves and their families but also to other road users.

“If you are a mobile phone user while driving, you are a liability to yourself and your family and a potential accident waiting to happen to another road user,” he said.

The expert noted that the growing prevalence of distracted driving in Nigeria has become a major road safety concern, requiring a combination of stricter enforcement, public education and behavioural change among drivers.

According to him, road safety should not be viewed solely as a matter of law enforcement but also as a shared responsibility involving motorists, government agencies, transport professionals and the wider public.

He stressed that while traffic regulations prohibiting mobile phone use while driving already exist, sustained awareness campaigns are needed to educate motorists about the potentially fatal consequences of distracted driving.

Dr. Yusuf also called for stronger collaboration among policymakers, enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and educational institutions to address the problem through evidence-based interventions.

He urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen data collection and monitoring systems to better understand the scale of mobile phone-related road crashes and support the development of targeted road safety strategies.

The transportation expert further advocated consistent enforcement of traffic laws alongside public enlightenment programmes aimed at promoting responsible driving habits and reducing risky behaviour on Nigerian roads.

He maintained that no phone call, text message or online activity is worth the loss of human life, adding that every crash prevented contributes to a safer and more sustainable transport system.

Dr. Yusuf expressed optimism that Nigeria could significantly reduce preventable road traffic crashes if all stakeholders demonstrate commitment to tackling distracted driving and improving road safety culture.

He concluded that safer roads can only be achieved through collective action, responsible driving practices and sustained dedication to protecting lives.

His remarks come amid growing concerns over road traffic crashes linked to driver distraction and increasing calls for stronger measures to improve safety on Nigeria’s roads.