Sometime during the second week of October, people began receiving 'official' looking emails concerning the State banning cell phone use for motorists. Since we have been following the trail of the bills introduced to ban cell phones for drivers closely in our Hang up and Drive page, the news about the ban sounded odd from the start.
Although following the bills that go through the House and Senate aren't the easiest in reading material, we were sure that the last information was that the bill was put into the capable hands of the members of the transportation committee where we were sure it would die again through bi-partisan bickering or become watered down too much to be effective. It took us hours to find the information to make up the Hang up and Drive page and keeping up on things when bills move so slowly is tough but we stuck to our information and argued our point with everyone that mentioned the email.
Aside from trying to find the information about the bogus email the most difficult task was trying to assure those who got the email that the ban would be a good thing. Many people think it perfectly acceptable to distract from driving long enough to talk to someone they will probably see in another hour if they make it to their destination alive. One thing we remember from driving class is 'two hands on the wheel at all times' so it just makes sense not to hold a phone to your ear for a half hour discussion.
The newscasts on the topic were no help. They, for the most part, reported the fact that the bill was not passed yet but we got the distinct feeling that the reporters felt that the ban would also be bad for the public. "Don't worry, the bill wasn't passed and we feel that it won't be," at least that's the way we heard it.
What got our goat on the issue was seeing so many people on the road oblivious to the vehicles around them. One driver coming off a ramp crossed three lanes of traffic without even looking. Another motorist, texting while driving, kept looking down at the phone and didn't notice that they came into the other lane almost sideswiping another vehicle. We have a suspicion that countless incidents of road rage is a result of cell phone use and in fact many accidents have been reported. The statistics aren't there yet, who is going to admit they were using a phone before the accident.
Go out and get a hands free device, with any luck you'll need it soon.
