Jun 24 2008
Hang up and drive
Today I was struck by an odd situation while traveling east bound on Highway 50 through Sacramento. The freeway signs, I call them Meghan’s Law Signs, were all reading the same message. Not one of some small child in danger, rather the message was that on July 1, 2008 it will be illegal to drive and talk on your cell phone unless you have a hands free device. What was odd about this situation is that as I sat in traffic that was moving not and read this public service announcement, I glanced to my left and noticed a woman busily putting on her make up using both hands. I ask you, what was she using to drive?
If I am on my phone with one hand, at least I have one hand on the wheel. This is not a major constriction because I happen to drive an automatic so I have no need to shift. There in lies another problem; what about the people who drive stick shifts? It is impossible for them to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. Should we now outlaw the sporty stick shift in favor of the safer automatic?
Authors of these laws point to countless statistics that show talking on a cell phone is dangerous when one is driving. I am not here to argue this point; in fact I agree that it is dangerous. The point I am arguing is how many other distracting habits do drivers have that should be outlawed? The woman putting on her make-up, are there any statistics to show how many accidents have been caused by eye liner? The man reading his morning paper, you know who you are, are there statistics to show how many accidents have been caused by the sports page? It only seems logical that if the evil cell phone is the root cause of all accidents, then these other distracting habits must at least cause a few.
Basically, if we as a society are going to practice parental laws, then all unsafe activities should be included. To my knowledge there is no law on the books that prevents the application of make up or the reading of the newspaper while driving.
Anyway, those are just some things to think about while you eat your egg McMuffin on your way into the office in the morning. Distraction comes in many forms and maybe all of those forms of distraction need to be addressed. Now, hang up and drive!
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