Added: 01/21/2006 |
Cell Phone Legislation – What’s The Hold Up?It seems as though the news was hyping up all of the bad publicity cell phones were getting in terms of people using a cellular phone while driving. What happened to this topic? There has been little coverage lately about this serious issue and it was clear that cell phone legislation was before the house a few years ago, yet no law(s) have been communicated back to the average American as to changes in what is acceptable and what is not when using a cellular phone while driving.
Teenagers are thought to be the biggest offenders of using a cellular phone while driving but this may not be accurate anymore. Most teens are taught about the dangers of cell phones along with all of the other road hazards that come with the responsibility of driving. There are state laws in many states that regulate the number of teenagers that can be in a vehicle at one time with a teen driver, but where is the cell phone legislation? How many times have you witnessed an adult, male or female, making a huge mistake on the road as they balance their cellular phone while driving in addition to drinking a beverage or smoking a cigarette? It is clearly a dangerous situation for all drivers and something should be done to address the issue and cell phone legislation seems to be the only realistic answer. After all, we have laws about seatbelt use, car seat requirements for children and helmet laws for motorcyclists but our government seems to be responding slowly to cell phone legislation. Perhaps this is a state issue more than a federal one and individuals should get involved by writing or contacting their state representatives or Senators. Citizens do still have a voice and should exercise their rights more by making their voice heard by the people who actually make the decisions and could potentially pass cell phone legislation.
The issue with cell phone usage is actually even bigger than just using a cellular phone while driving. The problem has grown to include a complete lack of etiquette with cell phones in many situations. Obviously we cannot legislate good manners or proper behavior but what will it take for people to realize how incredibly rude they are sometimes? Waiting in line at a grocery store or bank and watching the person in front of the cashier or teller delay, the completion of their transaction because they are too busy answering their cell phone or carrying on a conversation is especially frustrating.
Another example is eating dinner in a restaurant that you are really enjoying until the person at the table next to you begins talking loudly or occasionally yelling at someone who is not even in the restaurant on their cell phone. This rude behavior is unacceptable and it is sad that people do not automatically take the initiative to correct themselves or others. However, in the matter of talking on a cellular phone while driving it is truly a public safety issue and not just something that is irritating or annoying. It is a situation that does require cell phone legislation and America should be ready to accept or for that matter even embrace it if it is ever passed and becomes law.
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