Should the use of cell phones while driving be banned?
Posted by:
Michelle Ferm
As the Chicago Auto Show approaches, I wanted to take this time to remind everyone that it is not cool to text and drive. Driving distracted is one of the main causes of accidents so I am asking you, please just wait the extra ten minutes until you get home to read and respond to a text. I do understand that emergencies come up so if it's something that absolutely cannot wait... then just pull over. Easy Peezy!
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) agrees with me and thinks that there should be a ban ALL cell phone use while driving. That's right--not just in construction zones, not just on the highway, but the complete ban of all cell phone use while driving. This does however; exclude a hands free device or a passenger in the car using a cell phone.
Coincidentally, The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the fatality rate for highway accidents has dropped to 32,885 for the year. This is the lowest it has been since 1949! But still... Almost 33,000 fatal accidents a year is still a ridiculously high number!
Although many accidents do happen on the highway, there is famous expression that states accidents usually happen when you're closest to home. This expression came true (unfortunately) for two men. One an owner of a classic Pontiac LeMans and the other an owner of a classic '40 Ford. These two men showed up early to display their most prized possessions at a car show at their local mall. A woman who was texting while driving was not paying attention, drove over a curb, plowed into the LeMans which caused the LeMans to crash into the Ford (photos below). Luckily no one (but the cars) was hurt.
This year, the Chicago Auto Show wants to stress that it is important to know how dangerous distracted driving from a cell phone can be. We are teaming up with the Orthopedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance to make people aware of the harm you can cause yourself and others if you do not take the necessary precautions of texting and driving.
What do you think? Should there be a ban on all cell phone use while driving?
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