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Banning Cell Phones While Driving - Good Idea or Useless Law?

Banning Cell Phones While Driving - Good Idea or Useless Law?

Written by Rev. Robert A. Vinciguerra Friday, 13 August 2010 00:34

 

A commercial flickers on the TV screen during the break of the always funny Family Guy. A close up of a young girl talking on her cell phone fills the screen. Her laughter and giggling is abruptly cut short... The camera pans out to reveal that she had been talking on her cell phone while driving; followed by a message: "Do not talk on your cell phone while driving."

The message intended to be seen is a simple one; talking on the phone while driving. However, it’s easy to see something profoundly different, and something that is quickly become a cancer on American society; the art of passing blame.

The Absurdity of Anti-Cell Phone Laws

It is a joke, a colossal one at that, that all across America cell phones and driving are being outlawed in favor of hands-free car sets. Banning cell phones completely fails to reduce the rate of accidents, as shown by the Highway Loss Data Institute study. Other studies suggest that it’s not the act of holding the phone to the ear that’s distracting to the driver; the true diversion is transferring concentration from the road to the conversation.

Following the results of such scientific studies, lawmakers at the local level in states all across the country have begun to pass new laws banning the use of not only cell phones while driving, but also hands-free sets. “That'll show those talkers!” they certainly exclaimed.

But where’s the law that bans drivers from talking to their kids in the backseat? The one that outlaws drivers from talking to their passengers? Their GPS device? What’s the difference? There is none, according to science.

With ludicrous anti-cell phone laws being signed each day in America, where are the laws that ban smoking and driving? How about the law banning eating Big Macs while driving? I can’t tell you how many times I've nearly been run down by a smoker as they’re struggling to light one up while going 70 down the freeway… or someone putting on their makeup. I am sure of one thing; it’s been more times than I’ve been put in jeopardy on the road by “talkers.”

Drinking hot coffee while driving, shaving while driving, and changing music while driving are all dangerous distractions. Yet in what major US metropolitan area are any of these activities outlawed? Not a one as far as I can find.

Is it the responsibility of the government to regulate facets of society to protect individuals from themselves? Sometimes it is, sure; that’s why we have seatbelt laws. But it is definitely the responsibility of government to protect its citizenry from the reckless and careless behavior of those who could harm them.

But city and state legislators often go too far with these laws. The best method to protect the people is not to contrive laws that are barely enforceable. How is an officer supposed to tell if a driver is using a hands-free set or singing along with the radio? Texting or checking the time?

A Better Way

The best method is for state and local governments to use the free public airwaves of both radio and television to educate the public on the proper traffic laws and on how to avoid dangers of the road in lieu of arbitrarily outlawing the harmless practices and passing the over to a specific action of the driver. Education is key, and in most cases drivers don’t receive any traffic education since they first get their license unless they break a law.

How can the proposed air time be afforded? By simply increasing the fines for dangerous traffic violations, such as driving under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, cutting off motorists, speeding in school zones, failing to obey traffic lights and signs, and so on.

More and more it’s becoming too much to ask for Americans to take personal accountability. Your kids got poor grades? Blame the teacher. Crashed your car? Blame it on the car. But promoting accountability for the actions of individuals means having to admit that there was an overall lack of responsibility in the first place, and we can’t have that, can we?

The government, instead of wasting time with phantom legislation, should do what it exists to do; to help to make a safe society. More Americans die on the road each year than of any other unnatural cause. Clearly, the government is not doing enough. It is our responsibility, however, to do more.

Doing Your Part

The next time that your vehicle is in motion and you want to take that drink of coffee, soda, or water, or you feel the urge to dip into that bag and take a bite of that fresh hamburger, or the desire to light up another smoke, or make a phone call, remember that it’s not your cell phone’s fault if you get into an accident, it’s your fault for being irresponsible and not paying attention to the road. As a society we can be more responsible drivers and make the roads safer for everyone, if only we can first admit and take accountability for our own actions as individuals.

 

 

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