I'm surprised there aren't studies done about road rage and the use of cell phones. I get irritated by cell phone users driving badly. I just want to pinch their little heads off. I've seen no road rage statistics, but I have seen comparisons between cell phone usage, drunken driving, and resulting accidents. David J. Hanson, Ph.D. says, "A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that drivers who used mobile phones while driving were four times more likely to crash than those not, a rate equal to that for drunken driving at the .01 level." Dr. Hanson also points out, "Those who die in traffic accidents are just as dead whether killed by drug use, fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel, alcohol intoxication, or inattention caused by cell phone use while driving." Many people would like legislation passed to limit the use of cell phones in automobiles. But, a news feature from the National Conference of State Legislatures argues the point, "Opponents also argue that little evidence exists that wireless phones are more distracting than other normal activities in the car, such as eating, grooming or using the radio." However, one could argue that eating and grooming while driving shouldn't be listed as normal activities. I agree. I think that any activity, which diminishes driving ability including phone calls, alcohol consumption, shaving, putting on makeup, eating hamburgers, and drinking hot coffee, should be eliminated for the safety of the driver as well as other drivers. Diminished concentration on the road can lead to carelessness, accidents and road rage. |
