It is illegal to receive or make telephone calls while driving, regardless of any wireless gadget used for such communication, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says.
FRSC’s public education officer Bisi Kazeem explained that driving required apt attention so any bit of distraction wouldn’t be condoned.
Hence, said drivers who make or receive calls behind the wheels with AirPods, earbuds or any form of wired or wireless earphones and hands-free devices risk six months in jail.
The officer also added that, according to the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, it is illegal to make calls or receive the same while driving.
“It is illegal. Driving entails 100 per cent concentration so you cannot be distracted. It is there in the regulation,” he said.
“It is clear from the provisions of Reg 166 (1) that it is illegal to make phone calls using earbuds, earphones or whatever means.
“Anything that will distract you while driving must be avoided. When we do public enlightenment, we even discourage drivers from talking to passengers which could cause distraction.
“The law may not make it an offence but at the same time, it can distract you, even changing your cassette while driving can distract you and result in an accident.”
All drivers are excepted to be guarded.
