We all do it. We're driving. Our phone rings. We pick it up. And suddenly, we forget that we are even in a car. The real question is, though: aside from feeling confused and lost, do you feel guilty afterwards? Do you hang up that phone and feel like you have committed some crime?
Well, you would have - if you were in California.
On July 1st, a new law was passed prohibiting California motorists from using hand-held cellphones (or else you pay a $20 fine). Yes, this means they can use hands-free devices (blue tooth devices and the like).
But... is the number of hands available for tasks truly the limiting factor? Or is it the drivers' attention and processing capability? I would have to agree with the latter, although, yes - having two hands on the wheel is of course better than one. But does it make that much more of a difference, or is it the drivers' limited ability to juggle multiple tasks at once? It has to be the multiple tasks.
Although the new law Arnold Schwarzenegger passed has good intentions of saving lives and making Californias' roads safer, I have to wonder if it will do just the opposite. Will drivers become even more focused on cell phone usage since they have to be on the look out for cops? Or, perhaps people just won't even care that much and continue to use their hand-held device.. which I think will be the case.
Sure, Arnold has the right idea - but how much it will help, I am not sure. If it really does come down to multi-tasking/conversing in vehicles (which I think is the case), what's next - prohibiting PASSENGERS in general? "Sorry, in order to operate this vehicle appropriately, the driver must not mumble a word.. a WORD."
I say, let them stick to thinking it is all about the hands... I'd rather keep my driving adventures somewhat interesting and have a person or two in my car without trying to run from the cops.
3 comments:
Great entry! What about people who text message,check emails, eat, put makeup on, shave, etc., while driving. Which is worse?
Well.. for one, if you are doing anything that is meant for a certain room in a house (shaving = bathroom, eating = kitchen).. then you have a problem. The problem with texting/e-mails is that it is all on the PHONE. And.. you can bring that phone anywhere. Yes, you can bring food and razors with you, but... really? I mean, why??
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