Is It Right To Be Taking Selfie When Driving A Car?

Car selfies are becoming popular day after day. Every day, millions of people take selfies while inside or driving a car. It has become a photo style many people aspire to. Thankfully, there are social media where they can be posted. As this practice grows, some people take it to the extreme—they now take selfie photos/videos while driving.

In this article, we look into the rise of car selfies, why people take car selfies and the dangers of taking car selfies while driving.

Why Do People Take Selfie Photos/ Videos While Driving?

While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with wanting to take selfies in a car, the line blurs when taking selfies and driving. In Nigeria, however, most things are seen as a show of “class.” Today, you’ll find people who long to take car selfies and videos to meet a specific social standard. It’s almost ridiculous, but it happens. The primary reason why many people take selfie photos while driving include;

• Document their driving experience
• Capture themselves while driving
• Taking car selfies because it’s now a trend
• Showing off while driving to boost the self-esteem

Is Taking Selfies While Driving Illegal In Nigeria?

While there are no laws that expressly point toward taking selfies while you drive in Nigeria, there are laws about being on your phone while driving. The Nigerian Road Safety Act shuns driving and answering a call. It means that being on your phone while driving is a punishable offence.

However, this will also apply to taking selfies and videos while driving. Because one’s attention would be drawn towards the selfie or video, forgetting they’re on the road.

If road safety officials catch you on the road taking selfies and videos while driving, you could be facing a fine.

Why Is Taking A Car Selfie While Driving Dangerous?

Just like answering calls while driving is dangerous, so is selfie-taking while driving. This is due to the sustained attention it requires. You’re taking selfies and analyzing them to ensure they meet a particular taste while driving.

Driving requires much attention and concentration and snapping and making videos take your attention off the road and into your phone. It has the potential to lead to severe accidents and road injuries. What selfie-taking while driving does is;

• Visual distraction: You take your eyes off the road
• Manual distraction: You take your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive distraction: You take your mind off driving

Conclusion

Even if taking selfies while driving is illegal, observing caution while driving is essential. There are plenty of opportunities to take selfies apart from when you’re driving. If you love your safety and health, you should prioritize keeping your eyes, hands, and mind on the road.