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Common sense to combat phone problem
Published Friday, July 31, 2009
You might have seen the news item about a bicyclist getting hit by a motorist who was reaching into her purse for her cell phone. This happened in Scottsboro earlier in the week. The motorist said she didn't see the man.
Incidences like this increase the need for some kind of self-control needed by motorists when they're dealing with cell phones. Many places ban the use of phone unless they are attached to a hands-free device.
Now, on a related topic, there's a move in Washington that would force states to ban texting while operating a moving vehicle or face cuts in annual federal highway funds. The ban is directed at the teenager who text messages, but also at the professional with the iPhone or Blackberry who checks out e-mails at a stoplight.
Wireless operators agree that texting is dangerous, but not all the major wireless companies believe a national law is the best way to solve the problem. Verizon's vice president said his company supports the federal legislation. Sprint's public affairs manager said it likely would change driving behavior and maybe better driver education is the issue.
What all this does is boil down to good common sense. If your cell phone rings and it's out of reach, pull over and talk or wait. The same thing with text messaging. Pull over to the side of the road and out of the way, send the message or read one before getting back into traffic.
A little common sense and a lot of self control will save lives.
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Comments
Posted by jonsavant (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The minimum fine for texting and driving should be $1000.00 first offense - second offense $5000.00 and permanent loss of license.
Posted by JohnGalt (anonymous) on August 2, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen jonsavant.Is a phonecall or text worth risking your life or someone else's?This is one role the federal government can play in protecting it's citizens.That is the supposed to be the central role of our federal government.You cannot even have a conversation with someone using a blackberry when they are'nt driving.Everyone does not have common sense or common courtesy,but they do have a wallet.I got used to wearing a seatbelt because of the fine and it is only $10.00.I wear my seatbelt to go to the mailbox now.It is a good "habit" that was forced upon me.
Posted by Selma (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Driving while talking on the cell or texting is dangerous. You have young and older people talking on the cell while behind the wheel. How did we make it before the cell phone, and who is so important that one would risk there life to talk to. While I do not think that the federal government should regulate this, I do feel the state government should regulate it. We now have transfer trucks, bus drivers and drunks talking on the cell and texting while behind the wheel. You would think that people would use common sense, but I guess you have to have common sense to use it.
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