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Hang up and drive
By Stephanie Hebert
October 1, 2007 | There are certain things that shouldn't
be done while driving such as putting on make-up, changing
clothes, reading, and in this reporter's opinion, talking
on a cell phone.
Most people have at one time or another probably talked
on a cell phone while driving. I'm guilty.Recently,
I was driving behind a woman who was talking on her
cell phone, and realized how distracted she was. She
ran a four-way stop while she laughed at something said
in her conversation. She also sped up and slowed down
as if her foot was connected to the conversation.
There are many states that are banning the use of
cell phones by teenage drivers. With the amount of teenage
drivers on the road, Utah should consider such a law
and not just for teenagers but for all of us. After
all as the saying goes lead by example.
The problem of cell phone distraction is not limited
to just teenagers. University of Utah did a study and
found that 20-year-olds talking on a cell phone while
driving have the same reaction times as 70-year-olds.
The study also found that drivers talking on a cell
phone were 18 percent slower in their reaction time
to brake lights.
The University of Utah found the problem of being
distracted by cell phones is experienced by everyone,
young and old drivers.
Drinking alcohol and driving is a known taboo for
all ages because alcohol doesn't discriminate for age.
It doesn't matter how old you are, you are impaired
if you have been drinking. It is the same with a cell
phone it doesn't matter how old you are you are distracted
if you are talking on a cell phone.
We are all human and to err is human, so for the safety
of all on the road we should put down the phone and
pay attention to the road.
NW
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