Driving Toward a Safe Future: The No Chat Law and Its Impact on Road Safety

Since the creation of the National Traffic Safety Commission (CONASET) in 1993, road safety has been an undeniable priority for the Chilean State. In this regard, it is crucial to discuss the No Chat Law, a measure that has been in effect in our country since last year, with the objective of preventing accidents and protecting the lives of all drivers and pedestrians. Below we tell you what it is about.

The No Chat Law is a regulation that came into effect in 2022, seeking to tighten traffic rules and fine people who use mobile devices while driving a vehicle. This set of rules, originally promoted by the No Chat NGO in 2015, establishes precise regulations on the use of electronic devices while driving a vehicle, to reduce distractions at the wheel and improve road safety.

One of the reasons for promoting this law was that in 2022, a joint investigation between Mutual de Seguridad, CONASET and the No Chat NGO was conducted, where a significant number of drivers were found to exhibit dangerous behaviors, such as using mobile devices while driving (33% of those surveyed), which increased the danger of accidents on the roads. Additionally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), phone use at the wheel increases the probability of being involved in a road accident by four times; so much so that during 2020, more than 21,000 road accidents in Chile were attributed to distracted driving.

The evidence indicated that it was necessary to raise awareness about the importance of following traffic rules and adopting safe behaviors to ensure the protection of all road users.

Some key aspects of this law:

• ✅ The No Chat Law prohibits manipulating a mobile telephone device or any other electronic or digital device not built into the vehicle while driving. This includes actions such as making phone calls, sending messages, manipulating a GPS or other activities that may distract the driver. It should be noted that the law authorizes the use of hands-free devices, as long as they comply with the regulation specifications.
• ✅ The No Chat Law applies to all types of vehicles, whether motorized (such as automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles) or non-motorized (such as bicycles). Road safety is a shared responsibility that involves all actors in traffic.
• ✅ The use of georeferencing applications, such as maps, is allowed as long as it does not involve manipulating the device while driving. Drivers must program the route in the application before starting the trip, with the vehicle parked in a safe place. During the journey, they can receive instructions via audio or voice.
• ✅ Manipulating a mobile telephone device or any other electronic device while driving is a very serious infraction that carries fines of between 1.5 to 3 Monthly Tax Units (approximately $80,000 - $160,000 CLP) and suspension of the driver's license from 5 to 45 days. In case of repeat offense, the license suspension can be extended up to 90 days.

Unfortunately, despite the implementation of the No Chat Law, drivers have not shown a significant response. According to data published by La Tercera, during 2022, when the regulation came into effect, 8,246 infractions were recorded. It was found that 87% of them were because drivers continued talking on the phone without using hands-free devices.

Experts on the subject consider that changing an ingrained habit in the short term is complex, and for now, the solution to the problem lies in increasing enforcement and raising awareness about the seriousness of this "bad habit." It is necessary for people to understand the risks associated with manipulating mobile devices while driving, in order to ensure safety for everyone.

At MIGTRA, we believe that safe driving is everyone's responsibility and we are committed to promoting safe and responsible driving in our country. We believe that the No Chat Law is a fundamental measure to avoid distractions at the wheel and prevent road accidents, because every action we take while driving can make the difference between life and death. Let's become aware of the importance of keeping our attention on the road and avoiding the use of electronic devices while driving. Like CONASET and the No Chat NGO, we are committed to road safety and invite you to be part of this cause.

Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Let's take care of ourselves and respect traffic rules to make streets and highways safer.