The letters to the editor this week are killing me. Those stating that Utah's cell phone laws are fine just the way they are, because if they can talk on the phone and drive safely then why should it be illegal? (Wait, are you the girl I passed on I-15, talking on your phone and eating a Popsicle? Or that guy that pulled out in front of me so involved in your conversation that you were completely unaware I was coming?) Frankly, the same argument could be made for drinking and driving. If I can drink 3 beers and still make it home 'safely', why is it illegal? Study after study has shown that driving while on the phone is equal to the impairment of driving drunk. Period. A Salt Lake Tribune poll said that 80% of participants thought that there should be more regulation on cell phone use and driving. But there are more than 20% of drivers who talk on the phone while driving. Maybe it is everyone else that is unsafe, not them. The reality is that even if people know that talking and driving is unsafe, they still do it. Until there is a law that spells it out they'll keep doing it. There are three bills addressing cell phones and driving this session. One needs to pass that will outright ban texting while driving (clearly a stupid endeavor) and at least require drivers to use hands free devices (though if these are truly safer is questionable).
The three bills to watch are: Rep. Riesen's HB 95 , Rep Ray's HB 281, and Rep. Moss' HB 248.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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1 comments:
I really, really, really, hate the cell phone and driving thing. However, I know that when I have had cell phones I was guilty of driving and talking. I think you're right, if people don't have a law, they'll continue to talk and drive. I think, and have for a while, that this is a no-brainer. I almost get hit daily by people too busy talking to drive, this needs to change.
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