Safety Group Wants to Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving

By: Tom Crabtree | News Channel 7
Published: January 13, 2009 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

"It would be like banning chocolate... It ain't gonna happen!"

I heard that comment tonight from WBT Radio weeknight host John Hancock about a national safety group's proposal on cell phone.

The National Safety Council is advocating a total ban on cell phone use while driving. The council says the practice is clearly dangerous and leads to fatalities.

According to a report today from the Associated Press, "The group's president and chief executive, Janet Froetscher, likened talking on cell phones to drunken driving, saying cell phone use increases the risk of a crash fourfold."

Someone should've thought of this long ago before cell phone technology became such a big and vital part of everyday living.

As I sit at stoplights and watch the cars around me, more often than not the drivers are on the phone. Sometimes I am too. I personally think a person can conduct a cell phone conversation... and drive safely... at the same time.

But there are exceptions.

Once I even saw a guy on a motorcycle with his head cocked way to the left side, a cell phone tucked under his ear.

I think South Carolinians would go into absolute revolt if the legislature tried to ban cell phone use.

Currently South Carolina has no laws restricting cell phone use and texting.

North Carolina bans drivers younger than 18 and school bus drivers from using cell phones and/or texting.

I can't support a cell phone ban.

But a ban on texting while driving is badly needed, in my opinion. It takes too much of their attention away from the road when a driver is texting while driving.

In fact, I've never texted anyone... about anything... ever. I guess the day will come, but at 20 cents per text, not yet.

And not while I'm driving.

What are your thoughts on a cell phone and/or texting ban?

Please e-mail your opinion to tcrabtree@wspa.com.