Look Ma, No Hands!
Yesterday, California's hands-free cell phone law went into effect. Drivers can no longer hold their cell phones up to their ears while driving. Instead, they must use a headset. Now, I am all for this change, although I don't think it will do that much good. Studies have shown that talking on the phone while driving, whether with or without a headset, dramatically reduces drivers' abilities to concentrate on the road. Also, I find it odd that the law does not outlaw texting, checking email, eating, personal grooming, or other activities that require one-handed driving. Let me tell you, nothing is scarier than driving with the Pater Familias while he checks his BlackBerry every time his stupid email alert dings. Obviously, checking his email is much more important to him than ensuring the personal safety of his passengers.
I had a 60-mile drive yesterday to do some networking, and here are a few things I observed as I drove:
Both hands on the wheel--or else!
I had a 60-mile drive yesterday to do some networking, and here are a few things I observed as I drove:
- Several guys driving with their lean on, resting one arm on the rolled-down driver's side window. They were clearly too cool to drive with both hands on the wheel.
- A woman brushing her teeth while driving. I have no idea where she planned to spit.
- A man smoking and then tossing his cigarette butt out the window. What kind of arrogance does it take to view the world as one's own personal trash can?
- A woman wearing headphones (yes, on both ears) and rocking out to music.
- A blatant scofflaw driving with his phone pressed to his ear.
- Someone reading the newspaper while driving. Yes, we were stuck in traffic, but even if we're crawling along at 5 mph, any sort of distraction can cause a rear-ender, which can then lead to a chain effect, and then, before you know it, there's a SigAlert for the whole freeway.
Both hands on the wheel--or else!
posted by Astera @ 9:01 PM
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