Sometimes you just have to laugh …
“When parents are on the car phone talking to their
kids explaining why they can’t get home for dinner or can’t do bedtime stories, that really has an impact on the quality
of life,” Vice President Al Gore said early this week at a press conference proposing a national “N11”
number to provide drivers with immediate transportation and traveler information such as road conditions.
Let’s
make a number specifically for people to call while they are on the road! Good idea? Bad idea?
Were the Gore
“people” not aware of country singer George Jones’ critical single-car accident the prior weekend and that
the talk of the day basically was that it happened because he was talking on his cell phone? (Oh yeah, and he wasn’t
wearing a seat belt.)
Yet, just the day before the accident, a committee in the Maryland General Assembly killed a
bill that would have banned the use of cellular phones while driving in that state. Other state bills still are
pending.
Suddenly the chatter is on again that driving and dialing is dangerous. Driving and dialing is the same as
drunk driving, car phones should be banned … O.K. Let’s all calm down a little.
It is called personal responsibility,
folks.
You can talk on the phone while driving … or eat a hamburger while driving … or apply mascara while
driving … or turn around to shake your fist at another driver … or turn around to pick up the toy your child dropped …
or a multitude of other actions, and for that moment your main focus will not be on the road.
It is kind of like the
whole drinking-and-driving debate all over again. I guess if a person thinks he can drive safely after one beer or three
beers, he is going to try. God willing, he does not hurt anyone else in the process. If he does, there are serious
repercussions. If a person thinks he can talk on the phone, drive and shave his beard all at the same time, he probably
will try. Good luck to him. If he hurts someone in the process, there should be repercussions.
I have a harrowing
commute. It is very intense driving and I wouldn’t dream of picking up my phone while I am on the highway. I also
wouldn’t dream of getting into my car without my phone, and if I am in a residential area I might make or take a call. I
know what I can handle.
A cellular phone is a safety and convenience tool. It is up to each individual to use the tool
properly.
