Monday, January 12, 2009

"Nationwide Cell Phone Ban for Drivers Urged"

"A leading consumer safety organization is calling for a nationwide ban on drivers using all cell phones and other messaging devices.

"While there are a few state and local laws banning drivers from using hand-held cell phones, the National Safety Council (NSC) believes it's time to make it unanimous."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101959.html


I know that a lot of people find cell phones convenient (some would say necessary, I'm sure), but I have had many close calls with drivers distracted by cell phones, easily a dozen wherein the other driver is still unaware that he/she cut me off or otherwise endangered others. They are oblivious when they are on the phone, just as bad or worse than drunk drivers.

Driving skills have dropped markedly and the number of vehicles on the road has increased. This is obvious to anyone who has driven for a few decades. Traffic law enforcement is all but nonexistent in Racine, usually occurring only after an accident has already taken place. (I recently got into an argument with a cop over this. He told me that they're too busy with "important" crimes to deal with traffic. What a farce the law is in Racine. No wonder so many ignore it.) Driving today is a major chore because so many drivers are incompetent.

I'm sure that just as the Tavern League comes to the defense of the thousands of drunk drivers that they turn loose on us every day, the cell phone companies will fight any attempts to regulate the use of their products. If nothing else, if you drive and use a cell phone, then the law should require that your phone number be stenciled on the back of your vehicle, like those How Am I Driving? stickers. That way, when I get home, I can call you up and tell you how you cut off six other vehicles and nearly ran down five pedestrians while you selfishly yammered on the phone.

7 comments:

Why Not? said...

The amount of time that I have driven when I'm back in the states I swear I have been cut off or something else happen to me with someone who had a cell phone stuck to their heads at least a dozen times.. and I really dont come home all that often.. I'm getting nervous to drive around when I get there this year with having 2 kids in the car..

OrbsCorbs said...

Cell phones as dangerous as drunk driving. "In fact, the three participants who collided into the pace car were chatting away. None of the drunken drivers crashed."

Why Not?, just be very, very careful. You are entirely on your own in the streets of Racine - the police are always "busy."

Anonymous said...

That is on my THINGS I HATE AND DRIVE ME NUTS list. I hope it goes through.

Beejay said...

I have to admit to have done it, but I, too, think it is dangerous. The hands free set up could work, EXCEPT for those folks who have to talk with their hands!

I think this one probably should be passed.

I saw an 'almost' accident last week on my walk. It was a contractor and he was off the road and then across the road. Must have been one heck of a conversation. Horns blowing, hands going out the window with the usual salute!

It is a dangerous practice and I hope most of us voluntarily will cease doing it. I can, since it is a rarity for me anyway. Half the time I can't find the phone anyway.

Why Not? said...

thanks orbs, I will do my best.. It's a shame something like cell phones can drain the fun I used to have driving to become something so nerve wracking.

I suppose you become a little more nervous when you have little ones in the car no matter what.

OrbsCorbs said...

Just returned from mom's house with her laundry. Guess what? I was cut off downtown by a guy talking on his cell phone. He sped off, still unaware (or uncaring) about what he did.

Anonymous said...

A little late on this post but just wanted to add last Wednesday was hit by a person talking on her cell phone. She even got out of the car to tell me she was ok...still talking on her phone!

Thank goodness no one was hurt but I am now all for a ban...