Soon, you will not be able to drive and phone
Many states of the USA are seriously thinking about making all mobile calls while driving illegal. Even those where BlueTooth or similar is used to allow hands-free calls.
The laws, of course, will vary with each state. What is astounding is that the idea has met with a groundswell of approval from the public. The majority of states are actively considering such legislation and there is very little opposition.
Utah will do as an example. Utah lawmakers are supporting a proposal to ban the use of cell phones while driving, even for those who use a hands-free adapter.
The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee has already approved the bill.
The sponsor of the bill Representative Phil Riesen said one in ten drivers are talking or texting, and he wants to prevent cell phone-related car accidents, which killed four people last year.
Phil Riesen said, ‘Some people argue there is no reason to penalize someone who is able to talk on the phone and drive safely at the same time, but research shows you simply cannot do both safely. Driving while phoning is as dangerous as driving with a blood alcohol level of .08, that is legally drunk.’
The only problem which anyone sees is for the police. Watching any real life police drama on television and you realize that pretty much all police drivers talk while driving and a good argument could be put forward that they have to talk while driving.
There are ways around this. The allowance of using a cell phone during an emergency, or when reporting a safety hazard or criminal activity. It may take a year or so to work its way through all of the States. But, at a guess, using a cell phone when driving will soon be illegal most places.
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