| Cell phones have been getting a bad rap for | | | | an accident. The investigators found that while |
| years. It is now illegal to use a cell phone that you | | | | people engage in active animated conversation, |
| aren't operating in "hands-free" mode in many | | | | they tend to move their eyes in directions |
| states, and lots of cities. What is worse if that | | | | appropriate to the conversation, and not to any |
| now there are ordinances and legislation being | | | | other activity they may be engaged in, (like |
| introduced that would make it illegal to use a cell | | | | driving). |
| phone not in hand-free node while walking on city | | | | We are, however, being sold the idea that you |
| streets, and some are even proposing the banning | | | | need to have a cell phone in your car. The |
| of the use of iPods by pedestrians. | | | | wonderful new service called On-Star by GM |
| The issue is, of course, highway safety. The | | | | gives you some very interesting, albeit invasive, |
| subset of that issue, which nobody is talking about | | | | services that might just save your life. On-Star |
| directly, is that it is really driver and/or pedestrian | | | | can tell if your air-bag has been deployed, and the |
| distraction which is causing accidents and fatalities | | | | service will call you to assess your injuries and |
| on the highways and streets of our nation. Only | | | | need for aid. The GPS tracking in the phone |
| one small piece of research addressed this issue | | | | installed in your car will allow the On-Star operator |
| and declared that there are many activities that | | | | to dispatch help to the site of your accident even |
| drivers engage in which can distract drivers long | | | | if you don't know where you are. |
| enough to cause accidents. One of these activities | | | | Give the service credit where it is due; they do |
| is eating, especially hot, or hard to handle foods | | | | recommend that you pull over and stop your car |
| and drinks. Pouring coffee on yourself while driving | | | | before you make a call or answer one. On the |
| has a much higher potential for disaster than | | | | other hand, the non handset, non earpiece phone |
| making a cell phone call. | | | | used can be a major distraction to the driver |
| It seems that wherever you go, people are | | | | even if the driver is only listening to a passenger |
| engaged in conversations with what appear to be | | | | conversing with a friend. |
| invisible others. It used to be a sign of insanity, | | | | We are being given new and sophisticated tools |
| but these days it is more likely a sign of a hands | | | | that could not have even dreamed of not too |
| free cell phone in use. One survey indicated that | | | | long ago; we will have to get used to these tools |
| hands free cell phone use was as likely as held cell | | | | and learn to use them and survive them. |
| phone usage to distract a driver enough to cause | | | | |