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Cell phone use is an unalterable part of modern life. It is such a fixture that I am probably right in saying that most reading this have a cell phone (or even two for some). But, has our use of this technology become dangerous to our and other's safety?

Many recent studies (including one by "The Mythbusters" as well as those conducted by various government agencies) have found that driving while talking on a cell phone significantly increases the risk of a driver crashing or running off the road. The amazing thing is that few if any of the studies cited physically holding the cell phone to be the problem. Most studies cited the mental activity (from the conversation) to be the cause of the accident. The human brain is made with a specific capacity; driving takes up a significant portion of that capacity (coordination, memorized road signs, sight, sound, touch, sense of direction, memorized locations, etc.). With so much brain activity devoted just to driving, it is entirely unsafe to add the mental load of a conversation with a no present person to the list.

We have already established that driving with a cell phone is unsafe, but should it be illegal? We next first establish what the government's duties are. The primary goal of the government should be to protect its people from physical harm; this includes harm from enemies and its own people. Obviously, a driver tiling on a cell phone (like a drunk driver), is capable of doing major harm to multiple people as well as themselves; but, is it practical for the government to outlaw cell phone driving? What is to keep a driver from talking on a cell phone?

According to the current law in my state (though I cannot speak for that of others) that applies to minors is a secondary offense (the officer cannot pull you over for it but if he can prove it, you get an extra fine). This is extremely ineffective, since unless people are dumb enough to stay on the phone after the cop pulled them over, or the cop went through the process of contacting the service provider, there is no way to prove that the person is guilty. This only creates an extra step for the government to go through.

Though obviously, cell phone use while driving would be something that could and should be outlawed, it is very unlikely that, even if legislation is passed, it will do any good. Talking on a cell phone while driving should be treated like drunk driving in that, if it can be proved that you were on it and got into an accident as a result, you should be punished worse for it.

Learn more about this author, Joshua Jones.
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