Iadmit it. Guilty as charged. I’m about to reveal to the masses
a deep, dark secret. I talk on my cell phone while driving. And
here’s the worst part: I hold it in my hand, usually the one that
should be at 2 while the other’s at 10. I don’t have a Bluetooth,
but I do have the hands-free headset that came with the phone …
somewhere. I think the only time it was in my car was when I
brought the cell phone kit home from the mall.
Now some state lawmakers are trying to take away my “right” to
talk on my cell phone while I’m driving unless I have an earpiece.
And you know what I’m going to do about it?
Nothing. I think it’s a good idea.
Last week’s proposed law from state rep Claire Levy out of
Boulder would make it illegal to talk on cell phones unless drivers
use hands-free devices like an earpiece or speaker phone.
Additionally, drivers under the age of 18, school bus drivers and
those driving any publicly regulated vehicle would not be allowed
to use a cell phone while in motion, period.
Those exempt would include on-duty police officers, firefighters
and drivers of emergency vehicles.
If the bill passed, police could pull over drivers even if no
other driving offense were committed — unlike the current seatbelt
law — and violators would be fined $100.
Foremost, I think we have far too many laws. The constant
onslaught from our elected officials as to what we should and
should not be allowed to do can make a grown person feel they are
living with their parents again. I don’t believe in helmet laws or
seatbelt laws or smoking bans or every other minutiae passed yearly
to protect us from ourselves. I do, however, believe in helmet
laws, and seatbelt laws and so forth to protect minors. When they
are old enough to make their own stupid decisions, some laws should
no longer apply.
The difference between a cell phone law and a seatbelt law? If
you get into an accident while not wearing your seatbelt, chances
are you’re not hurting anyone but yourself (unless you hit someone
else, but a seatbelt probably wasn’t a factor in that equation) .
Same with those adults who chose to frequent smoke-filled bars —
before that became illegal — or ride a motorcycle without a
helmet.
The key phrase is “protect us from ourselves.” I want, even need
to be protected from others, and I’m sure others could make the
argument that, at times, they need to be protected from me. I’ve
been the guy on the phone while driving who has reported to the
person on the other end of the line that “that was a close one,” or
told them simply, “oops” while waving apologetically to my fellow
drivers.
Some argue that seatbelt and helmet laws do protect the public;
that if a driver is injured in an accident because he or she wasn’t
wearing a seatbelt, the medical costs come back to the taxpayer.
But that’s only if the victim survives. On the flip side, if the
person is killed because they weren’t wearing his or her seatbelt,
there is no cost to the taxpayer. And statistically, I would say
it’s a safer bet more people die in accidents while not wearing a
seatbelt than in accidents where the driver and passengers are
strapped in. The people wearing the seatbelts are probably more
likely to have a hospital stay.
People dying in auto accidents can actually save taxpayers
money.
It’s a callus point, but one worth considering. And by the way,
I don’t start my car without being sure my seatbelt is buckled; but
not because anyone is telling me to do it, it just makes sense to
me.
The cell phone issue, however, is a matter of public safety. I
am on the road enough to see the side-effects of cell phone abuse.
If someone looks like he or she is driving at twice the legal
drinking limit but it’s the morning rush hour, I’ll bet that person
has a phone glued to his or her head. And texting while driving?
It’s only a matter of time.
Maybe the scariest thing though — until this law is passed, I’m
sure I’ll give into the temptation of picking up my phone during
one of my many commutes. But, whether the law is passed or it dies
on the floor, I think I’m going to hunt down that earpiece that’s
still in the box.
And if you see me on the road while I’m on my phone, here’s a
preemptive “oops” and please, try not to judge.