Date: 06 Aug 2003 22:13:07 GMT From: Gary Fritz <fritzxxxnopsamrii.com> Subject: Re: OT: Cell phones and driving
Malcolm Mason <MWM1nopsamJHU.edu> wrote: > No one , I believe, has any quarrel with the behaviors, like shaving > and aplying makeup, which oviously impair PHYSICALLY ones ability to > contorl a vehicle. It is the distraction of conducting a telephone > conversation while driving, waking, shopping ... I am no fan of oblivious drivers yakking on their cellphone and not paying attention to the road. However, as the father of two small kids, I can assure you a couple of unruly rugrats in the back seat can be far, FAR more distracting than talking on the phone. Are we to make it illegal to drive with children? For that matter, engaging in a conversation with the person sitting next to you can be nearly as distracting as talking on the phone. When you're talking to a passenger you don't have to hold or dial a phone, but on the other hand on the phone you're not tempted to look at the other person for visual cues. Should it be illegal to speak at all while driving? Careless driving while talking on a cellphone is a Bad Thing. But careless driving for ANY reason is a Bad Thing, and cellphones are far from the worst cause. I don't think it makes sense to legislate against one small part of the problem while totally ignoring the rest of it. Gary
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
