AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s traffic police have warned drivers against using mobile phones behind the wheel, saying the habit remains one of the most dangerous forms of distraction on the road.
According to the Main State Traffic Police Department, more than 11,000 administrative violations related to mobile phone use while driving have been recorded since the beginning of this year.
The department said the figures show that some drivers still have not abandoned a dangerous habit that can turn into “the gravest mistake” of their lives.
Police officials stressed that using a phone while driving puts not only the driver at risk, but also passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
The warning comes amid growing concern over videos shared on social media showing drivers opening live streams while driving, reading comments, responding to viewers and taking part in online conversations while their attention should be on the road.
Traffic police said such behavior is unacceptable from the standpoint of road safety. Officials also noted that live streams recorded behind the wheel, often posted for views and online popularity, can have a negative influence on children and teenagers, encouraging them to view such violations as normal.
Experts say mobile phone use behind the wheel creates several major risks. A driver looking at a screen may fail to notice road signs, lane markings, pedestrians or nearby vehicles. Reaction time is also delayed, reducing the driver’s ability to brake or maneuver in time during a sudden danger.
Another risk is loss of control. A distracted driver may drift out of their lane, make unsafe movements or misjudge the distance to the vehicle ahead.
Specialists urge drivers to keep their attention fully on the road and avoid using mobile phones while driving. Even a few seconds of distraction, they warn, can lead to serious road accidents.
Traffic police reminded drivers that no call, message, notification or live stream is worth a human life.
Authorities say measures against such violations will continue.
AZE.US