Muscat: Using mobile phones should always be avoided while driving, even to find a location or address of a particular place.
A Royal Oman Police (ROP) spokesman confirmed to the Observer, "Any attempt to use your mobile phone and GPS application like maps will be considered a violation. The general advice is not to get distracted by any means while driving. So if you want to just double-check the location, pull the vehicle on the shoulder and can use your mobile phone to double-check or find the exact location."
When asked about the hands-free, he said, "The simple answer is do not use a mobile phone while on the wheels."
According to experts, "the driver should never text, browse online, or watch videos while driving. It is too dangerous. If there is a need to use GPS navigation, just confirm your direction before starting the trip, you don't have to focus on them again while driving." Other tips include not answering calls while driving, avoiding conversations on the phone, or taking photos or videos.
As per the traffic law, using mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving can cost RO15 as a fine and two black points. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) recently confirmed that smart radars to detect violations are in use on a trial basis.
These radars can detect the use of mobile phones, not fastening seatbelts, and changing lanes before the road signal
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