Mobile games are steadily increasing in prevalence…
And it appears that commuting drivers have, too, leapt on the trend.
But here’s the thing;
Is it legal, or even morally right, to play games on your phone while ferrying other passengers?
Well… the answer’s as follows.
Passenger Claims Taxi Driver Missed Destination Coz’ He Was Playing Games on Phone while Driving
On 23 June 2021, Facebook Page SG Road Vigilante released a rather eye-opening one-minute clip of a ComfortDelGro cabby doing the unthinkable:
Multitasking on the road, with a mobile game in one hand and the steering wheel in another.
Lest you’re unaware, it is, of course, unthinkable to multitask because it will defeat the purpose. As our boss always says: “Focus on the task at hand”.
And so, it’s hardly surprising why the unfortunate commuter in question would be a tad bit grievous by this notion.
“Then I realised he [was] actually playing games while driving and even overshot my destination, sending me to Siberia until I have to stop him [sic],” the passenger said.
Yet even after the slip-up, the driver persisted in his quest to become the best mobile gamer of all time.
The journey then proceeded as such, and eventually culminated in a life lesson upon the passenger’s departure.
Apparently, the passenger informed the cabby that he should not be gaming while driving, but the advice fell on deaf ears.
“The latter disagreed and said it was fine to do so,” wrote AsiaOne.
And to make matters worse, the passenger had to cough up the extra cab fare, which was incurred from the cabby’s misroute in the first place.
You can view the actual Facebook post down below:
Despite being posted just two days ago, the video has already attracted 19K views.
Netizens have also advised the passenger to send the clip to the relevant authorities.
According to AsiaOne, Tammy Tan, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, has confirmed the incident.
Investigations are now underway.
“We are investigating this matter and will take appropriate disciplinary action if cabby has been found to have committed this act of unsafe driving.”
For the record, it is illegal for a driver of a vehicle to use a mobile device while piloting a moving vehicle on a road or in a public place.
Should the perpetrator be found guilty, he could face a fine of up to S$1,000, an imprisonment term of up to six months, or both.
Not The First Incident
Worryingly, such instances aren’t exactly rare.
In fact, as recently as April 2021, a shuttle bus driver faced suspension after he was caught playing on his phone while en route to Orchid Country Club.
He was reportedly swiping away on his phone as his passengers stared in horror.
“How can [the driver] be so irresponsible?” one passenger demanded.
You can view that particular incident down below:
Featured Image: Facebook (SG Road Vigilante)