Cyclist distracted by what’s on his mobile phone slams into stationary car

Singapore — The accident captured on the car camera looked so perfect as if it had been choreographed for a road safety video on what not to do on the road. But it was all real!

The car’s rearview camera catches a cyclist holding his mobile phone and using it instead of paying attention to where he was heading.

By the time he realises what is going to happen, it was too late.

So distracted is the man that he and his bike careen headlong into the back of the stationary car, and sheer momentum causes his head to smack into the rear windshield.

Then he stops and looks around as if checking to make sure that no one saw what just happened. Then he rides off, blithely unaware that what happened when he was distracted looking at his phone are now recorded on social media for all to see.

The incident was posted on Wednesday to the ROADS.sg Facebook page shared from Beh Chia Lor – Singapore Road. 

It illustrates perfectly why cyclists, motorists, and others are not allowed to use mobile phones while on the road. Cyclists and users of personal mobility devices are barred from holding and using mobile phones while riding, Facebook page ROADS.sg noted in a post on Wednesday (Dec 1).

First, the rearview car cam shows the man on his bicycle and clearly not looking at what is in front of him while he is approaching the parked car.

He realises that he is about to hit the car only a split second before impact.

The bicycle’s front wheel hit the car, flipping the cyclist at the rear windshield, and his face kisses the windshield.

Then he quickly looks behind him and around him, as if checking for witnesses. “Ok, nobody see, ciao,” the video caption added.

But every moment has been recorded.

“Devices can be used only if they are mounted or operating in a hands-free manner. In other words, you can use it to check Google Maps or delivery routes for riders, but no more replying WhatsApp messages while on the go,” noted ROADS.sg.

Under the Active Mobility Act (AMA) which governs bicycle use, those caught using or holding a mobile device when driving can be found guilty of committing an offence.

In the language of the law, anyone driving or riding on a public path while holding a mobile communication device in their hand and operating any of its communicative or other functions, while the vehicle is in motion on a road or in a public place is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.

Repeat offenders are liable to a fine up to S$2,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. /TISG

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