Abstract:
The use of communication technologies has brought changes to our daily ways of doing
things. Youth use technology for different purposes at different locations. As technology
grows everyday with various advantages, its benefits come along with some
disadvantages. Road accidents are one of the major problems that South Africa
experiences. The focus of this study was to explore the danger of texting and driving
and its potentials for road accidents. This research focused on the negative impact of
technology, mainly technological distraction, while driving.
Broadly, this research looks at the social and cultural impact of texting and mobility, with
specific focus on distracted driving. This study is significant in the social analysis of
technology use and distraction; this significance is made more important considering
that there is very limited study of this social issue in South Africa. The always-available
communication culture (such as texting while driving) should be viewed as a
problematic phenomenal.
For data collection, the researcher conducted a survey with adults and youth drivers to
explore the perceptions and attitudes of drivers towards cell phone use, texting and
driving. The researcher also conducted roadside observations of drivers to investigate
the occurrence of distracted driving due to technology use, and interviews were
conducted with Traffic Officers to share their professional experience on observing
incidences of texting and driving.
The study reveals that technology use, texting and driving is a common problem among
young drivers, while adults tend to be more careful and engage less in this activity.
Aspect of the findings of the study shows that 60% of drivers report that they have sent
a text while driving. Moreover, the study explores ways of curbing cell phone use texting
and driving on South African roads. There should be more research on distracted
driving and technology use, so that more suggestions on how to curb technology use
while driving can be offered
