Look Ma, No Hands!
James Falcon
December 21, 2005
A recent press release from the Associated Press (AP) has stated that there is a sharp increase in the number of drivers who talk on their cell phones simultaneously.
"About 10 percent of the people on the road during the day are using cell phones, up from 7 percent in 2004..."
Speaking on cell phones should not be made into the major issue, the main cause of car accidents. As it was stated in the aforementioned press release:
"Industry officials contend cell phones are just one form of distraction: many drivers eat fast food, push buttons on their stereo, apply makeup or talk to other passengers."
This is where stupidty becomes an issue. If an individual feels that he or she must do all or any of those things (especially at the same time), then they shouldn't be on the road. They should take a bus, train, or taxi, or perhaps hire a chaffeur to cart them around, less they save their own lives, as well as every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the roads.
To those that can't help but "talk-and-drive", may I offer a possibly solution?: Speaker phones or earplugs equipped with a microphone. Some argue that the conversation itself is distracting from the road. However, wouldn't this apply to any conversation, even one occurring between the driver and a passenger.
The reason, I feel, that cell phone conversations cause accidents isn't because of the conversation itself, but the fact that it requires a free hand to hold the phone. The driver, in turn, sacrifices one of his or her hands from the wheel to commandeer the telephone, leaving the remaining lone hand to steer the wheel.
There are indeed technological advances in the field of mobile telephones. Yahoo! Shopping offers many of these devices, including a Motorola 90512 Hands-Free Kit ($12.95); this "provides hand-free operation and rapid battery charging" and plugs into a standard 12-volt cigarette lighter.
The Belkin F8V920-AV3 ($18.94 at Amazon.com) is a hands-free kit with earphones and microphone (like that of a telemarketer's headset).
Such examples as these exude technological advancements which allow those that have the "gift of gab" the ability to do so while acting in a more safe manner while driving.
Happy motoring.
"About 10 percent of the people on the road during the day are using cell phones, up from 7 percent in 2004..."
Speaking on cell phones should not be made into the major issue, the main cause of car accidents. As it was stated in the aforementioned press release:
"Industry officials contend cell phones are just one form of distraction: many drivers eat fast food, push buttons on their stereo, apply makeup or talk to other passengers."
This is where stupidty becomes an issue. If an individual feels that he or she must do all or any of those things (especially at the same time), then they shouldn't be on the road. They should take a bus, train, or taxi, or perhaps hire a chaffeur to cart them around, less they save their own lives, as well as every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the roads.
To those that can't help but "talk-and-drive", may I offer a possibly solution?: Speaker phones or earplugs equipped with a microphone. Some argue that the conversation itself is distracting from the road. However, wouldn't this apply to any conversation, even one occurring between the driver and a passenger.
The reason, I feel, that cell phone conversations cause accidents isn't because of the conversation itself, but the fact that it requires a free hand to hold the phone. The driver, in turn, sacrifices one of his or her hands from the wheel to commandeer the telephone, leaving the remaining lone hand to steer the wheel.
There are indeed technological advances in the field of mobile telephones. Yahoo! Shopping offers many of these devices, including a Motorola 90512 Hands-Free Kit ($12.95); this "provides hand-free operation and rapid battery charging" and plugs into a standard 12-volt cigarette lighter.
The Belkin F8V920-AV3 ($18.94 at Amazon.com) is a hands-free kit with earphones and microphone (like that of a telemarketer's headset).
Such examples as these exude technological advancements which allow those that have the "gift of gab" the ability to do so while acting in a more safe manner while driving.
Happy motoring.
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