Can You Hear Me Now?

More and more we hear of studies that show using a cell phone behind the wheel is dangerous. It is said that the use of a cell phone distracts the driver and he/she is more likely to have an accident. Several cities have banned the use of cell phones will driving, and some only allow hands-free cell phones. However, every study I have seen on the subject is bias against using cell phones while driving, (on in other words, they want to prove that cell phones are dangerous), and thus their results are contaminated.

Almost everyone uses a cell phone while driving. Not all the time, but every now and then. And of course some do use it all the time. But is it really as unsafe as people would have you believe?
If cell phones cause wrecks because they are distracting, then let’s look at other things (that actually cause more accidents) that are also distracting.

1) Eating
2) Doing makeup.
3) Reading a map.
4) DWI/DUI.
5) Messing with the radio/CD player/tape deck.
(this is the number 1 cause of all accidents, even more than driving drunk)
6) Messing with kids in the back seat.
7) And then cell phone use.

I’m sure there are many more reasons, such as using a laptop, changing clothes, receiving fallatio, or having a plane land on you, but these are the main ones.

In theory, cell phones are distracting because you are talking to someone and not paying attention to the road. But if they are going to ban cell phones, shouldn’t they ban passengers as well. And especially kids, they are a huge distraction and should never be allowed in cars. But obviously that doesn’t make sense. Likewise, radios, CD players, iPods, etc, are, by far, the most common recent for wrecks, yet there is not legislature being purposed to ban those.

Now let’s look at another side of it. We need to talk on cell phones while we drive. Just as much as we need to listen to the radio while driving. And when I say we need to, I mean it is a part of human nature. When you watch TV what else are you going? Eating? Reading? Using the computer (I’m watching TV right now)? Perhaps talking on a cell phone? How may high school kids listen to the radio while doing homework? How many people doodle while talking on the phone? How many people read the paper with breakfast?

Most people’s brains are too active, and can not simply concentrate on one thing. The same holds true while we are driving. I got into a small fender bender several months ago at a traffic light. I wasn’t on the cell phone, I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t messing with the radio, and I sure as hell wasn’t doing my makeup. I wasn’t doing anything. And yet I was so distracted that I let off the brake and rolled in to the car in front of me. Less than a week later a woman did the same thing to me in a Wendy’s drive thru. She wasn’t on her cell, wasn’t listening to the radio, wasn’t looking for lose change. Nothing. She couldn’t explain what happened.

Doesn’t feel strange to be in a car, by yourself, with no radio on? Doesn’t the lack of mental stimulation quickly get bothersome? It is a necessary part of our mental makeup that we must preoccupy our brains as completely as possible. Therefore, cell phone use is a good thing, and should not be banned. At least not until a more complete study comes along. One that’s non-bias.