So, people who *can* walk and chew gum at the same time — or drive and talk at the same time, or drive, talk, eat a hamburger, drink a coke, and smoke a cigar at the same time — are to be punished for those who can’t?
Instead of telling me that I can’t multitask, how about this: add driving and talking on a cell phone to the driver’s test. If you can’t do it, no license.
It’s still legal in Idaho. Had a police car behind me the other day. I think he was waiting for me to mess up so he could ticket me for weaving or not signaling. Too bad for him.
It does seem to me the problem isn’t so much the cell phone itself, but the lack of overall driver training.
Military pilots, as just one example, fly and talk at the same time over radio, switching frequencies as a matter of routine.
They are also monitoring a myriad of important engine indicators, checking fuel consumption, and navigating via map at places they’ve never been before, and in the dark at night - using night vision devices.
They don’t do it with a cell-phone stuck in their ear though - so a hands-free device like a bluetooth seems acceptable. Another whole issue not talked about much here - when I was stationed in Europe I noticed that drivers training is a serious affair. It costs the equivalent of several thousand dollars. The more training required, the more it costs. Night driving, city driving, night city driving, etc - it’s all very thorough. I don’t know what kind of drivers training is being conducted here these days, but clearly not much.
Shhh... you might educate someone. I drive and converse (in NY with a bluetooth) frequently. I also listen to audio books during my commute. Both of which require some of my attention. But I manage the situation: I turn off the radio and do not use the phone in traffic or in metropolitan areas. When I am talking to someone, I occasionally will sound distracted or seem rude because I have my focus on driving.
As a pilot, I was taught that your first responsibility is to FLY THE PLANE everything else is subordinate. If you approach driving with the same attitude, you will be fine.
Instead of telling me that I can’t multitask, how about this: add driving and talking on a cell phone to the driver’s test. If you can’t do it, no license.
"Drinking alcohol has become politically incorrect; not too far removed from pederasty in the hierarchy of evil. We've adopted a virtual zero-tolerance attitude toward any drinking before driving, which may or may not be a bit over the top.
"But if it isn't an overreaction, then how come we tolerate people smacking away on their cells when it's beyond dispute that talking while driving is at least within the same ballpark, risk-wise, as having a glass or two of wine over dinner and then driving home?"
If someone can have their driving privileges jeopardized without any evidence of impaired driving except that any alcohol had been consumed, then a similar penalty should exist for those driving while distracted unless their driver's license was obtained and qualified for driving with neuropsychologically equivalant distractions. The latter isn't rocket science, and it is easily quantified, e.g. reacton times, collisions with pylons on standardized test tracks, etc. Selective categorical prohibitions, such as no drinking before driving, just breeds more contempt for the law in a society that wants a pill for any problem.