Replies

1. Even though cell phones are not the primary culprit in traffic accidents, they have become the focus of attention in recent years because they are the one "distraction" that is both clearly visible from outside the vehicle (hence, the ability to enforce restrictions against using them) and is always fully within the driver's control at all times (i.e., as a distraction it is not something that simply "happens" to the driver during the course of a trip).

2. The laws against cell phone use in a car are idiotic because there is no reason to distinguish between a driver using a cell phone and a driver eating a sandwich or applying makeup at a traffic light. Many states may already have a law on the books requiring drivers to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. This was why the New Jersey State Police were able to initiate their campaign against aggressive driving a couple of years ago -- any motorist who "flipped the bird" to the driver of the unmarked police cars that were used in this effort was immediately pulled over and cited for violating that statute.