by Karon Brandt

Created on: August 20, 2007   Last Updated: September 30, 2010

According to the votes, 69% of participants recognize the dangers of cell phone use while driving and say it should be banned. What about the other 31%? How do we reach them?

Have any former cell phone users quit using phones while driving because they understand the risks they pose to themselves and others?

Many people seem to be in denial. They think, "It won't happen to me." Or, perhaps, "I'm invincible." Or, for the rebellious types, "I'm not going to allow anybody to tell me what to do; it's legal."

We are surrounded by the "threat" of injury or death every time we walk out our front doors. Even in-home accidents are high on the list. Everyone is vulnerable; we are all at risk. People become fatalistic. "If it's my time to go, it'll happen anyway."

But it is that kind of thinking that could lead to premature death.

We've all heard the fear-based ads: "This accident could happen to you if you use a cell phone while driving!"

Or something with a sensual slant: "If you have this popular, gotta-have-it phone in your car, maybe this babe (or hunk) would date you." (Whatever works; the ad people know which buttons to push.)

How about a fact-based ad? According to the October, 2007, issue of the "Reader's Digest," about 80% of accidents are caused by distractions of some sort.

Cell phones seem to one of the newest distractions while driving. We're talking about millions of drivers. We all know of 20 other possible distractions, but many are almost reflexive, like changing the radio station or sipping a drink. Driving requires focused concentration because of imminent contingencies.

Carrying on a conversation, especially an emotionally-laden one, requires a split in focus. A passenger can foresee a possible-accident scenario and stop speaking while the driver re-focuses; the person on the other end of a cell phone call, can't.

At present, five states ban the use of cell phones while driving, and 16 others restrict use by young drivers. (Reader's Digest, 10-07)

What about the use of hands-free phones while driving? Some people argue that hands-free phones are safer and shouldn't be banned.

A study done by the Transport Research Laboratory found that mobile phone users were four times more likely to be in a collision, regardless of whether the call was made hands-free or not." (Wikipedia)

Further, The National Traffic Safety Administration has learned from experience that public awareness campaigns produce few results. What the NTSA has determined is: It's only when tougher laws are in effect that people pay attention. (Reader's Digest, 10-07)

That means saving lives.

One other fact should be made known. The World Health Organization stated that one study under review is the link between cell phones and sperm quality. They are finding that "heavy mobile phone users (more than 4 hours per day) had significantly less viable sperm." (Wikipedia)

How do we stop people from driving and using distractions like cell phones? Since people don't accept factual reasoning, and cannot be dissuaded by fear, or persuaded by common sense, it looks like passing and enforcing laws will be the only realistic, life-saving solution.

Teen-agers are at higher risk because 1) they are less experienced drivers; 2) they are more easily distracted; and 3) they are more likely to be cell phone users.

It seems like laws about the use of cell phones while driving must be passed. Enforceable laws must be made: to keep the young alive long enough to become old; and to keep the older alive long enough to become wiser.

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