Is it permissible to make phone calls while driving in case of emergencies?
3 Answers
It is not permissible to make phone calls while driving in case of emergencies. The following are relevant regulations and prohibited behaviors when operating a motor vehicle. Behaviors that compromise driving safety: After the newly revised "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" was promulgated, it came into effect on January 1, 2013, stipulating that: behaviors such as making or answering handheld phone calls while driving that compromise safety will incur a 2-point penalty. Additionally, making phone calls while driving also endangers personal safety. The following behaviors are prohibited when driving a motor vehicle: Driving when the doors or compartments are not properly closed; hanging or placing items within the front and rear windows of the motor vehicle's cab that obstruct the driver's view; making or answering handheld phone calls, watching television, or engaging in other activities that compromise driving safety.
Using a phone while driving is absolutely unacceptable, even for urgent matters. Having driven for many years, I've witnessed numerous serious accidents caused by distractions. Once, I saw a young man talking on the phone while driving, and his car lost control and crashed into a tree by the roadside. Now, the law clearly states that using a handheld phone while driving will result in penalty points and fines if caught. Not to mention the safety risks—holding a phone with one hand and the steering wheel with the other leaves you unprepared for sudden situations. The best approach is to connect a Bluetooth headset in advance or simply pull over to a service area or safe spot to handle calls. If it's truly urgent, using the speakerphone is an option, but keeping your eyes on the road is paramount. Safety always comes first; the few minutes saved by taking a call are nothing compared to the hassle of dealing with an accident.
No matter how urgent the matter is, you should never touch your phone while holding the steering wheel. Distracted driving due to phone calls is particularly dangerous, with experimental data showing that reaction speed can drop by nearly 50%. Last year, a friend of mine had to pay tens of thousands in repair costs after failing to notice a lane-changing vehicle while answering a client's call. Although new cars now come with Bluetooth hands-free features, the brain still gets distracted processing conversation content during calls. I recommend developing the habit of setting your phone to silent mode when getting in the car. For truly urgent matters, you can use voice assistants to handle them. Remember, any handheld phone usage while driving is illegal, and you will be fined if caught by the police. Pulling over with hazard lights on is the only legal option.
