How about we ban dangerous driving?

Various jurisdictions around the globe are thinking about or have enacted bans regarding the use of hand-held mobile devices and especially texting while driving. There are people that applaud this because it could potentially reduce accidents. There are also folks who vehemently oppose such a ban as they feel it infringes on drivers' rights.

I am cognisant of some serious issues with such a ban. For starters, I don't think banning hand-held phone use will reduce their use by much, as law enforcement just don't have the resources to enforce such a ban. We live in a society where constant connectivity is almost regarded as a personal right and users will naturally rebel against such a ban. There are people who are making their livelihood through their connection to the rest of the world using mobile communications, so a ban only hurts their bottom line.

But let's look at this with some common sense. Driving requires a great deal of concentration, which is greatly affected by any and all distractions. Aside from the fact that a large number of drivers exhibit traits that make for dangerous conditions on the road, adding distractions to an already precarious situation can't help matters. Even the most conscientious drivers suddenly become less aware of their surroundings when talking to passengers, applying makeup, eating or drinking, listening to or fiddling with the radio and other entertainment devices and talking on the phone. Although not holding a phone in your hand while driving does remove some of the risk, it still does affect your ability to concentrate on your surroundings. This is easily tested. Next time you're talking on your phone and you have an adult passenger present in your vehicle, ask them to note any hazardous situations. When your conversation on the phone concludes, ask them to quiz you on your awareness of those hazards. I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd be willing to wager that you were oblivious to much of what was going on around you. So let's say that you don't normally shoulder check before changing lanes, or properly signal your intentions, or maintain a safe distance between you the vehicle in front, or maintain a safe speed. The act of talking on the phone could blind you just enough to any dangerous situation coming your way and more importantly, your ability to react to it. I doubt many could argue that when witnessing dangerous behaviour by another driver on the road, in most cases the driver does in fact have a phone pressed against their cheek. Road regulations don't make it easy for people to pull over either, as many places perfect for stopping to use the phone are signed against doing just that.

Personally, I look forward to the day when we take advantage of technology to analyze all of the factors that have contributed to every road accident, from vehicle computer data to cell phone calling records. Considering that we are taught (in defensive driving school) that all accidents are avoidable if you adopt safe behaviours while driving, it would not be hard to argue that many accidents could have been avoided if drivers paid more attention to their surroundings than what the person on the phone is saying. My position is that if it is proven that someone involved in an accident was on the phone at the time, they should suffer some financial consequence. If you think you are immune from the perils of driver distraction - put your money where your mouth is....

Otherwise, shut up and drive.