by Jeffrey Weinstein

Created on: August 07, 2011

I commute one hundred plus miles every day. Almost all of those miles are spent on high speed parkways. I've seen so much lunacy and idiocy on these roads that I wonder how there aren't more accidents. Along with the usual speeders and tailgaters, I've seen people reading, eating and even a girl or two putting on make-up. Some drivers think they're racing in the Daytona 500 while others feel driving is a game that is not to be taken seriously. The transformation of normally good, logical people when they get behind the wheel is the stuff of a horror story.  It's enough to make you want to take mass-transit (and we all know how unreliable mass-transit systems are).

Out of all the irrational behaviors drivers exhibit, talking on their cell phone is, in my opinion, the most egregious (other than driving under an influence of course). Whether you're on a local side street or a high speed parkway, responsible driving requires split second reactions. If you're hip-deep in a conversation, chances are you will not react in time and will not be able to avoid a bad situation. We all from time to time change a radio station or pull out a new CD or adjust a mirror. All of those actions do cause a temporary lapse in concentration but, for the most part, those actions are quick and sometimes necessary. People that chit-chat on their phones while driving are incredibly irresponsible and self centered.

Having said all of this, I do NOT feel cell phone use should be banned while driving. Cell phones were invented in part for emergencies. A portable telephone allows someone to get in contact with anyone from anywhere at any time. We've all been sitting in traffic, or late for a meeting or lost and the cell phone has saved our bacon on many occasions. Being able to let your boss know you will be late or ask for directions has become a needed part of our everyday life. During my commutes, I often get caught in  traffic jams. I am always apprehensive to let my boss know I am running late or let my wife know to take her time cooking dinner because I know if a cop sees me I will get pulled over and given a ticket. It should not be that way. I should be allowed to make a simple phone call to let whomever is expecting me know that I will not be where I'm suppose to be at that time, and not to worry. Cops have enough to worry about every day. Flagging people for cell phone use while driving is a waste of resources.

It is up to the millions of people who take to the roads every day to use their God-given gift of common sense and ONLY use the phone if it's absolutely necessary. Yes, there are speaker phones and Bluetooth ear pieces that are legal and encouraged by the police, but having a full fledged conversation while driving is a hazard no matter if your hands are free or not. A few rotten apples should not spoil the bunch and it is simply unfair to not allow a person to make an emergency phone call if warranted. Remove the cell phone ban and encourage common sense. Is that too much to ask?

Learn more about this author, Jeffrey Weinstein.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.