by Tirzah Hawkins

Created on: April 24, 2008

The simple answer to banning cell phone while driving is "no"! There is already enough things that are banned that don't necessarily need to be. Why do we want more restrictions on our freedoms?

Also, I don't think that banning it will solve any of the problems associated with cell phone use while driving. Think of the other things that people do while driving that are equally or more dangerous - applying make-up, reading the morning paper or quieting rowdy children in the backseat.

Take a look at driving while intoxicated. This is something that is already banned and punished somewhat severely when someone is caught doing it. Has this stopped the majority of people when driving when they shouldn't? No, it may have lessened it a little, but drunk driving is still something that is done daily.

Would you stop talking on your cell phone just because it is illegal? No. You would merely hang up quickly or hide your phone when you saw a police car approaching. And for those few who were caught doing it, they would merely be fined, putting more money into the government's pocket.

Banning isn't the answer, but people do need to be educated on the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Driving is something that most people probably end up doing everyday. They get bored from it after a while or feel that they are a very good driver; therefore, they don't need to pay as much attention to the road as they used to.

What they don't realize is that they are driving in a new condition everyday, with new people. These people may be new to driving, driving impaired or not paying attention to the road as well. This is when accidents happen. It just takes one person not paying attention to what they are doing to cause an accident that on the extreme end could end someone's life.

All drivers have a four times increased risk of being in an accident merely by talking on your cell phone.

Risk statistics and information should be included in all DMV driving manuals. People taking the test to get their learner's driving permit should be tested on the information so more people are aware of how dangerous it is.

Maybe through education and people just trying to be smarter about cell phones, we can reduce the number of cell phone caused accidents. I don't think banning cell phone use while driving is the answer or will lessen the problem.

Learn more about this author, Tirzah Hawkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.