Ever wonder what could possibly go wrong by furiously punching out text messages on your new 3G while behind the wheel of a speeding vehicle? Well according to the fine folks at the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that looks into such nightmare scenarios, apparently a lot of damage can be done. Citing a recent Harvard Center of Risk Analysis study that estimated cell phone use while driving contributes to 6% of car crashes and 2,600 deaths each year, this week the nonprofit NSC called for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving.
The loss of human life and the estimated taxpayer cost of about $43 billion a year due to cell phone related accidents might be enough to push lawmakers in some municipalities into action on text messaging/cell phone bans. County legislators in Monroe County (Rochester), New York, recently introduced legislation that would require motorists who are caught sending text messages while driving to pay a $150 fine beginning July 1st.
The law covers only texting, ignoring the hazards caused by talking on the phone, playing videogames, downloading iTunes, or any other task your cell phone can now perform with ease. And then there is the question of enforceability; it will be difficult to impossible for police to catch anyone typing a text message while driving. Likely any violations of the law will only be discovered after an accident has already occurred, at which point it is too late.
Lawmakers in Honolulu have taken steps to ensure such a loophole doesn't exist in their anti-cell phone legislation. According to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, the City Council is considering a ban on text messaging and video game playing while driving, but might also consider a stricter law that would forbid drivers from holding and talking on cellular phones. This is in spite of warnings from the Honolulu Police Department and the city Prosecutor's Office that it would be "virtually impossible to enforce the [text and video game] law."
NSC's President and CEO, Janet Froetscher, proposes an even more all-encompassing cell phone ban. No texting, no video games, no hands-free devices, no nothing. Froetscher arguest that "When you're on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving." Froetscher isn't buying the Honolulu Police Department's claim that such bans are unenforceable, but she isn't exactly offering a compelling retort either. Her response: "Smart people in law enforcement get together to address such issues. They develop creative and successful measures to identify violators, such as high-visibility enforcement strategies."
The onus is clearly on both drivers and law enforcement equally. It is on motorists to practice safe and responsible driving practices, and on law enforcement officers to educate drivers and punish those who are not taking that responsibility seriously. The NSC's position that all cellular communication, even hands-free, should be banned might not be the most realistic position in an age where the ability to quickly and effectively communicate is so highly valued.
Nevada, one of the fastest growing states in the nation, has no restrictions whatsoever on cell phone use while driving and has even taken the extra step of passing a statewide preemption law that prohibits local jurisdictions from enforcing any type of restriction. States with millions of more drivers than Nevada, states like California and New York, have laws prohibiting driving while talking on hand-held devices only. It will be interesting to see where this all leads, so stay tuned.
You may now stop reading this article on your BlackBerry, and look out because that truck in front of you just changed lanes.
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