Comment & Debate
Bryan Knowles. “Should Using A Cell Phone While Driving Be Illegal?”. SpeakOut.com. June 15th, 2000 – When states issue drivers licenses, an individual motorist has been deemed both responsible and capable of making decisions behind the wheel. Holding a conversation on a cell phone while driving is no more distracting or different than talking to a passenger, eating fast food or fumbling for a music tape or CD.
Lee Domenik of The Campanile. “Cell phone ban an unnecessary intrusion”. Paly Voice. September 25, 2006 – Although talking on a cell phone while driving is distracting, so is drinking a soda, combing your hair or trying to keep your kids quiet in the backseat. Should we make all of those things illegal too? Simply because something is a bad idea does not mean it should be illegal.
“Do We Need Laws Against Cell Phones?”. Canada Safety Council. – A study released by the American Automobile Association in May 2001 reported that distracted drivers account for about nine per cent of serious crashes. Of that number, 1.5 per cent were using or dialing a cell phone at the time of the crash. In comparison, 11.4 per cent were distracted by adjusting a radio, cassette or CD, and almost 30 per cent were distracted by an outside person, object or event.
Our society has to a great extent condoned multitasking while driving. Most vehicles have cup holders. Many also have complex radios and sound systems. Omnipresent drive-throughs encourage drivers to pick up food and beverages. Drivers eat, discipline their kids, use cell phones and even shave or apply make-up on the road. According to a recent study commissioned by TheSteelAlliance and Canada Safety Council, fully 75 per cent of those surveyed admitted to performing personal or work-related tasks while driving.