Taking mate is part of Argentine culture. However, this custom began to question when we incorporate it into practices that can attempt against road safety.
When this tradition moves to the car, it is possible to become a dangerous distraction at the wheel. This is stated by a recent report of the Cecaitra Road Observatory (Chamber of Control and Administration of Traffic Infractions), which reopens the debate on naturalized but insecure habits when driving.
According to the study, 80% of the drivers surveyed recognize that many of the road infractions have their origin in typically Argentine behaviors, such as using the cell phone, smoking, eating, drinking or taking mate while driving.
The survey, conducted at 1,426 households in the metropolitan area, showed that 29% of respondents believe that transgressions are due to contempt for standards; 21%, to the lack of attention of drivers; and another 21%, to the presence of alcoholized drivers. That is, for 7 out of 10 people, the responsibility falls mainly who handles.
Although Cebar is not expressly prohibited by national legislation, some provinces such as Mendoza and Cordova They already impose fines for this practice.
Road safety experts warn that the process of Cebar Mate can generate multiple physical, visual and cognitive distractions. From trying to reach the thermos to face spills of yerba or splashes of hot water. In addition, before an unexpected impact, The bulb could become a cutting and lethal object for the driver or its companions.
“The problem is not fines, but people die,” emphasized a specialist consulted by Cecaitra, comparing this practice with the use of cell phone or driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to the World Health Organizationdriving distractions can be classified into four types: visual (divert the view of the road), cognitive (be mentally absent), physical (manipulate objects instead of keeping both hands in the steering wheel) and auditory (responding calls or messages). And the mate, although culturally accepted, can group more than one of these forms of distraction.
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