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Sep 30, 2009 - Hang Up And Drive

WASHINGTON — Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel.

The Transportation Department was bringing together experts over two days for what it's calling a "distracted driving summit" to take a hard look at the highway hazards caused by drivers talking on cell phones or texting from behind the wheel. Secretary Ray LaHood was expected to offer recommendations Thursday that could lead to new restrictions on using the devices while driving.

Just a couple of observations about cell phones I've made over the years. Cell phones are neat bit of technology but...

The guy I saw in the airport with a cell phone pressed to each ear was a perfect example.

NOBODY needs to be THAT connected.

I've done spot checks sitting at traffic lights as the cross traffic goes past. If 6 or 7 out of the first ten cars that pass don't have a driver on a cell phone it's now unusual.

Despite what a lot of people think, a phone call is a LOT different than singing along with your radio or talking with your passenger. Something about a phone call demands your attention. Listen to any morning talk show guy on the radio who's trying to do something in the studio while he handles a phone call on the air. He has to stop talking for a moment to get done what he needs to get done.

And the problem is going to get worse with younger drivers coming into the ranks. I know three of my daughter's schoolmates who log over 15,000 text messages per month. if you care to do the math, that's one every 2 minutes 52.8 seconds 24/7.

So I've come to the conclusion that cell phones are not technology, they're either an addiction or mental illness, and it really doesn't matter which it is where driving a car is concerned - (Judgemental statement alert) - if you use a cell phone while you're driving a vehicle, you are an idiot.

In case you wondered, I do have a cell phone (a Tracfone) strictly as an emergency device for the car in case we have a problem on the road. It's pretty much never turned on and in the almost two years I've had it I may have made a half dozen calls.

3:17 am | Categories: cell phones, distracted driving Permalink | Alert Administrator

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