SINGAPORE, June 28 — Motorists who glance at their phones while driving risk dangerously delayed reactions, as the brain struggles to process multiple streams of information at once, a neurologist has cautioned.
The warning comes amid a rise in mobile‑phone‑related driving offences. Traffic Police figures show 4,193 violations in 2025, up from 3,014 in 2024, with experts attributing the increase to drivers texting, scrolling or toggling between apps while on the move.
Pedestrians say they are feeling the effects. One long‑time resident told The Straits Times she has repeatedly encountered drivers holding their phones for extended stretches — sometimes for several kilometres — even at high speeds. In one incident, a driver nearly hit her at a zebra crossing because she was texting.
Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has said banning mounted devices may backfire, as drivers could end up holding their phones instead. The key issue, he stressed, is not the presence of screens but the misuse of them while driving.
Ride‑hailing drivers have also come under scrutiny. Some use multiple mounted screens to monitor different platforms, while others toggle between apps on a single device. Hougang MP Dennis Tan said the cognitive load from blinking notifications and constant updates can be as distracting as physically holding a phone.
Neurologist Andrew Lee from the National Neuroscience Institute said every additional screen in a vehicle competes for a driver’s attention. Driving already activates multiple brain regions responsible for perception, motor control and decision‑making — and split‑second reactions are often required. Looking away, even briefly, can be dangerous.
Under the law, an offence occurs when a vehicle is moving and the driver is holding and operating a mobile device — including typing, swiping or watching videos. First‑time offenders face fines of up to S$1,000 (RM3,158), up to six months’ jail, or both, along with 12 demerit points. Penalties double for repeat offenders.
Ride‑hailing platforms say they take such cases seriously. Grab and Tada told ST they investigate all reports of unsafe behaviour and may issue warnings, advisories or disciplinary action depending on the severity of the breach.
To reduce risks, experts recommend using voice navigation and stopping in a safe place before handling any other phone‑related tasks. “Every second spent looking at a screen is a second not watching the road,” Dr Lee said.
