"One More Time With That Phone and You're No Longer a Driver": Police Film Czechs Getting Distracted at the Wheel on the D2

On the D2 motorway near Brno, police filmed drivers staring at their phone screens instead of watching the road ahead. The stepped-up checks came in response to a string of tragic accidents on this stretch of highway, which, according to police, were highly likely caused by driver inattention.

Recent incidents on the D2 include a car driver killed under the wheels of a truck, as well as a van driver and two truck drivers who died in a fire. Police believe a common thread behind these crashes may simply be that drivers weren't paying attention to what was happening on the road.

Seconds on the Phone, Hundreds of Metres Driving Blind

As police spokesman Petr Vala explained, on a motorway a car can cover tens or even hundreds of metres in just a few seconds. "A quick glance at your phone can turn into a long stretch of driving without your full attention. In that time, the situation on the road can change dramatically — traffic can slow down or a jam can suddenly form," he stressed.

In the released footage, one driver tells an officer he was checking his route on his phone. The excuse didn't help: the officer warned him he faced a fine of 2,500 to 3,500 crowns, and since he'd already been caught for the same offence six months earlier, the fine would be closer to the upper limit.

"It's time you started thinking about yourself a bit, because one more incident like this with your phone and you won't be a driver anymore," the officer warned him.

Motorcycle Patrols Keep an Eye on Traffic Jams

According to Vala, motorcycle patrols play a particularly important role in traffic monitoring: their manoeuvrability lets officers react quickly to changing road conditions. In one traffic jam, an officer personally directed truck traffic, making sure the vehicles moved forward smoothly without leaving unnecessary gaps between them.

According to police, it's precisely these unnecessarily large gaps between vehicles — especially under traffic restrictions — that can artificially prolong a jam and disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

Read also: Prague Metro: map and tickets

Source: novinky.cz