SA stuck in middle of mobile phone food chain

For a nation as mobile phone mad as the UK is, it`s quite surprising how little common sense the population seems to exhibit when using their phones, and at the same time, how delayed the reaction of government has been in demanding the controlled usage of phones in environments where it might prove hazardous to one`s health.

Of course, I believe quite strongly in laws put in place for one`s own safety, and for the safety of others.

Basheera Khan, London contributor, ITWeb

The image of mobile phones was dented earlier this year, when the wounding of a girl in a mobile phone mugging had the public in an absolute reactionary frenzy.

Chatters and texters were urged to limit the use of phones in public. The government commissioned a survey on mobile phone theft, which revealed that 700 000 phones were stolen last year, and the resulting backlash from consumers resulted in various mobile communication service providers being strong-armed into outfitting mobile phones with various superfluous security measures.

For someone who comes from the kind of place where even simple 'walk and talk` dongles are at risk of theft, the local attitude towards personal safety, and the possibility of becoming the victim of a crime is one of stunning obliviousness.

Now, another beastie has reared its head. Unlike the case in SA, where legislation requiring that drivers use a hands-free kit to communicate via mobile phone when driving has been in place for some time, it`s only now that law-makers in the UK are being lobbied to outlaw all usage of mobile phones while driving.

The move was catalysed to some degree by the release of findings of a report into the adverse effects of using a mobile phone while driving. The research, commissioned by a motor insurance company and carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire, found that driving is impaired more by using a mobile phone than by being over the legal alcohol limit.

The company commissioning the research is reportedly working towards altering the perception of the use of mobile phones when driving, hoping it will become as socially unacceptable as driving under the influence.

Of course, I believe quite strongly in laws put in place for one`s own safety, and for the safety of others. It was remarkably easy for me to adapt when the laws were first introduced in SA and now seems to have been ingrained in my psyche.

Just the other day, I was in a car being driven on the motorway in moderately light traffic conditions. The driver`s mobile phone started ringing, and to my muted horror, the call was taken. The ensuing conversation was brief, and the call ended quickly enough, but it was still a remarkably jostling experience.

But before South African egos are inflated too far, I should probably cite an example of civic involvement through mobile phones that is something of which most South Africans can only dream.

Japanese police officers have expressed the opinion that third-generation (3G) mobile phones can be used to capture video footage of criminals in action and are encouraging owners of 3G phones (complete with built-in digital camera) to assist them in their fight against crime.

Officers in Osaka hope people with 3G phones who witness a crime will be able to e-mail an image, or even a video clip of the action, to the Osaka police.