Signal Tribune Newspaper

Submitted by Kelly Nielsen

There’s a new car game in town called “Crazy or Not?”
In this game, one point is earned for each person properly identified as actually talking on a phone and not to themselves, and two points for persons that are in fact recognized as talking to themselves. So far, I have scored zero in this game.
Let’s go back in history to the roots of this game. A 10th-Century Danish Viking king Harald Blaatand (Bluetooth in English) was known for successfully uniting warring tribes in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Today the name “Bluetooth” represents the technology used to unite wireless communications amongst electronic devices within very short distances. In this case, Bluetooth technology enables the transmission of voice data from a cell phone to a nearby cordless earpiece.
The use of Bluetooth technology is widespread, but the greatest immediate impact to Californians so far is how it has come into play with the new July 1 Hand-Held Wireless Telephone Law. The following is a brief synopsis of the law as interpreted by me, an average person:
California Vehicle Code 23123. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving. But it is ok to send text messages until further notice.
(b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and blah, blah, blah.
(c) This section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, or to soccer moms operating a fully loaded SUV, or persons driving an expensive car.
(d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2008, and shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2011, and more mumbo jumbo.
I think everyone will agree, the California hands-free phone law will save lives. This law has proven to be effective in other states. The problem I think we all see with this law is that there are too many exceptions, and the possibility of more laws created for those exceptions.
Lawmakers need to do their homework. It’s obvious to me that lawmakers suffer from tunnel vision. With a little forethought, anyone can see the future. There are already laws that punish careless and irresponsible drivers appropriately for reckless driving. We don’t need another one specifically for cell phones. Laws that are more inclusive might simplify things.
Is it impossible to instate a law that would include anything that distracts a driver from properly operating a motor vehicle and results in an accident will cause that driver to be negligent and responsible?
A list of distractions would not be necessary, and the following common distractions would obviously be considered if determined to be the cause of an accident: Fiddling with your radio or GPS device, applying makeup, talking too much to the passenger sitting next to you, daydreaming, an annoying backseat driver, reading the newspaper, arguing.
Now before I continue, I need to come clean. Though I believe I’m a safe and courteous driver, some of my passengers over the years may disagree. I don’t want to appear as a hypocrite, so I will now admit to everyone, without embarrassment, things I should not have done while operating a motor vehicle during my 32-year driving history. In no particular order, I am guilty of the following: eating, rubbernecking, sightseeing, using a camera, reading mail, singing my heart out, cleaning my car interior, changing clothes, grooming myself, yelling at the radio, looking for something in the back seat, and talking on my cell phone.
Now, I only eat and sing. Whew! The truth shall set me free!
I’ve been taught that while operating a motor vehicle, my focus should be on the road and the safety of everyone on that road. The best way to drive is to keep my eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel.
Our cars have become an extension of our office and home. Most of us are guilty of using our time stuck in traffic to make phone calls, but in reality, the safest thing to do when you need to make a call is to pull over and dial.
Cell phones don’t cause accidents; bad drivers cause accidents.
Here are a few positive things you can do with both hands while using a hands-free phone:
Gardening, signing for the deaf, using the restroom, using other computer devices, exercising, making cookies, clapping and snapping your fingers. The list is endless.

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