By Donald
B. Ardell – February 22, 2009
People who
use cell phones while driving should be shot! Well, not quite but I wish to
gain your attention for a suggestion that using a cell phone when behind a
wheel is a dreadful practice.
We all
have opinions, whether we care deeply about REAL wellness or not. That's
why we have two viable political parties (a pity we don't have more) and all
kinds of freedoms to express our individual tastes in politics, sex, religion
and everything else. The USA is not the only country that protects speech, but
we do a pretty good job of it, most of the time, the last eight years
excepted.
Some of us
have a need or just enjoy foisting our opinions on (well, maybe "sharing
them with) others. Generally, I don't think this is a good idea, unless
we have reasons to think other people might have shown an interest in what we
think. In that case, well, that's why people like me like to blog.
Wellness
promoters and others who enjoy TPJ share strong opinions on many of the same
issues, such as the value of vigorous regular exercise, good diet practices,
personal responsibility, the importance of critical thinking, the vital role of
a few key qualities of life (e.g., happiness, meaning, ethics and global
awareness and environmental sensitivity) and we seek to enhance the physical
and mental health of all, not settle on simply avoiding illness and preventing
problems. Exuberance is the watchword for us - life should be positive,
joyful and filled with love and laughter. For starters!
Therefore,
if there is something we can do to help others experience REAL wellness or just
not suffer unnecessary pain or worse (i.e., premature death), we want to speak
out. There are two forms this action can take: 1) join with others
to encourage policy changes or new laws; and 2) take personal action, even if
it only concerns your own behavior. I favor both but the point of this
essay is to urge the latter about a specific issue -- talking on a cell phone
while driving.
I urge you
to never again make or take a cell phone call while driving an automobile, or
any other vehicle, such as a truck, bicycle, airplane or space ship. It
is dangerous, unnecessary and threatens not just your own life quality but that
of others in the area where you are driving and talking or listening. If
you must take a cell phone in a vehicle with you for emergency purposes, keep
it out of reach. If you must take or make a call, pull over first to a
safe stop area.
The
dangers using a cell phone while driving are well documented (by than 50
scientific studies reviewed by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.
There is no debate. The matter has been settled. It might be
"safer" or have sex while behind the wheel and negotiating your way
through heavy traffic. It's a very high risk thing to do. Bad
enough to jeopardize your health - it is unconscionable to do so to others.
How bad is this problem? Accordingly to the National Safety Council
(NSC), 2,600 deaths and 12,000 serious injuries a year are attributable
to the use of cell phones. This danger is there whether your phone is a
hand-held or hands-free.
So far,
only six states (and DC) have banned cell use while driving - all should do so.
No need to wait, if your state in not one of the enlightened
jurisdictions. Ban your own cell phone and urge others to do the same.
This position has also been adopted by the National Safety Council. It
might happen in time, but you can take action on your own, now.
According
to David Strayer, director of the Applied Cognition Laboratory at the
University of Utah and a leading researcher on cell phone safety, talking on a
cell phone produces "mental images that disrupt spatial processing needed
to drive safely. While drivers look side to side when they are not talking on
the phone, they tend to stare straight ahead when they are on cell
phones."
Be wise,
prioritize. Sure it's convenient to use a cell phone whenever the urge
strikes, but a consideration for the quality of your own life and the safety of
others compels anyone who cares about wellness to choose not to do this - and,
when the occasion arises, invite others to do the right things, as well - skip
the cell when on the road or otherwise engaged in activities that compel your
full attention.
All the
best. 