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Theresa's Tidbits: Cell phone ban a good idea
Theresa Seraphim
for Spotlight
It took the province quite awhile to do it, but at long last, a bill banning the use of cell phones while driving has been introduced in the Legislature.
The legislation, to be debated this fall, would ban pretty much any activity behind the wheel except driving. Guilty parties would be fined $172 (but get no demerits).
It’s an idea whose time has come.
Anyone doubting the wisdom of such a move need only look at a brief video dramatization out of Britain which depicts an accident resulting from a teenage driver who texts as she’s driving.
Her car slams into another one, resulting in a chain reaction of destruction. The rest of the 4:15 video (widely available on the Web - just Google “texting video”) shows her passenger screaming for help as she looks at the driver, who is obviously dead.
The camera also pans to people in the other cars, lying bloodied in their seats. The most vivid scene shows a baby, eyes open in death.
Is it graphic?
You bet. It has to be, to get the message across that driving is for driving and nothing else.
The legislation has also made me aware of the number of times that I, as a reporter, have called someone on their cell phone to interview them and been told, “I’m just on the road.”
Thankfully, most call me back later.
While there are deadlines to meet, I know I would not want to be responsible for injury or death to anyone I interview, and I’m sure it’s safe to say my fellow reporters feel the same way.
But the thing is, it isn’t only cell phones. Why do people read, or put on makeup, or clip their nails, when they get behind the wheel? Is there such a rush in the a.m. that the commute is the only time to get ready?
If so, then someone has to somehow adjust their schedule – get up earlier, or whatever. This is part of the rush in which our whole society finds itself – but that’s another column. (And really, is a car the place to do things like clipping one’s nails?)
Hopefully, the legislation will pass.
Hopefully, it will result in drivers thinking about what they’re doing, and the fact that their activities can have a detrimental impact on other drivers and on pedestrians.
Hopefully, it will make the roads that much safer.
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