2008 Woodie Awards
Cell phone safety while driving a must
Erin Cooper, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: Student Life
The controversy regarding the banning of cell phone use while driving has gone on for years. Some individuals feel talking on their cell phone while driving is a normal and essential part of their life and career. On the other end of the spectrum, some individuals feel it poses too big of a traffic hazard.
"I do it, but I don't think it's a good thing," said Jessica Markley, a senior at Chico. "I'm distracted way too much by the conversation on the phone that I'm not giving the road ahead of me my full attention."
"I get so frustrated when the person in front of me is swerving or going to slow because they are talking on their cell phone," said Markley.
Some cities think the only way to take care of these problems is to ban hand-held cell phones from being used in the car. The first law banning hand-held cell phones while driving was passed in New York in 2001. After many studies following the law, it was concluded that hands-free cell phones might not be any safer for the driver than hand-held cell phones.
Cities can't ban the use of cell phones while driving because there would be riots. Not everyone can or wants to pull over in the middle of driving to take a phone call. "I do not think they should ban cell phone use altogether," said 24-year-old James Woehrman. "People have a lot of issues they need to discuss at all times of the day whether that be work related or personal."
Woehrman is a campus policeman for Contracosta College. Everyday he sees students talking on their cell phone while driving and although he doesn't necessarily disagree with it, he does see the everyday dangers associated with talking on your cell phone while driving.
The two biggest causes for automobile accidents involved with cell phones are dialing and lack of concentration. When people get so absorbed in their conversation they lose their ability to fully concentrate. "Even though I try to stay fully concentrated while driving and talking on the cell phone, I know I could be driving a lot better if I was off the phone," said Patton.
"I do it, but I don't think it's a good thing," said Jessica Markley, a senior at Chico. "I'm distracted way too much by the conversation on the phone that I'm not giving the road ahead of me my full attention."
"I get so frustrated when the person in front of me is swerving or going to slow because they are talking on their cell phone," said Markley.
Some cities think the only way to take care of these problems is to ban hand-held cell phones from being used in the car. The first law banning hand-held cell phones while driving was passed in New York in 2001. After many studies following the law, it was concluded that hands-free cell phones might not be any safer for the driver than hand-held cell phones.
Cities can't ban the use of cell phones while driving because there would be riots. Not everyone can or wants to pull over in the middle of driving to take a phone call. "I do not think they should ban cell phone use altogether," said 24-year-old James Woehrman. "People have a lot of issues they need to discuss at all times of the day whether that be work related or personal."
Woehrman is a campus policeman for Contracosta College. Everyday he sees students talking on their cell phone while driving and although he doesn't necessarily disagree with it, he does see the everyday dangers associated with talking on your cell phone while driving.
The two biggest causes for automobile accidents involved with cell phones are dialing and lack of concentration. When people get so absorbed in their conversation they lose their ability to fully concentrate. "Even though I try to stay fully concentrated while driving and talking on the cell phone, I know I could be driving a lot better if I was off the phone," said Patton.