Ontario has officially become the fourth province to enact the cellphone ban law following Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The law came into effect October 26th, however first three months of the law will be a "warning period" before imposing the appropriate penalties. This includes hand-held devices to talk, text or email while behind the wheel, or to use portable video games or DVD players. Those caught using handheld devices can be fined up to $500, however there aren't any demerit points attached to the legislation. However, officials have warned that the three month period is a not a free-for-all as those involved in collisions involving cellphones will be held before the law according to the ban charges.
I think that this is a great step forward as statistics show that driver distraction is a factor in 20% of all road accidents and a U.S study found that texting increases the risk of a collison 23 times (something that I am guilty of doing!) However, I am also skeptical of how effective the bill will be. In my opinion, all those going out to buy earpieces will be just as dangerous on the road as those who hold their cellphone to their ear to talk - you're still paying less attention to the road. How do you enforce this law anyway? Do the cop cars hidden away in corners check for people on their phones now? And what about the countless excuses that I could think of right off the bat - "my mother called, had to pick up - it could have been an emergency!," "It's the interview call I've been waiting to get for months!," or... "I was calling 911, just witnessed an accident.." and send them off on a wild goose chase... because remember, calling 911 is an exception to this law. :)
Another downside of the ban that I can see is now when your cell phone rings, you need to cross two lanes to get to the right hand shoulder as quickly as possible, then park for 5 minutes on the shoulder, then get back quickly to the fast lane to make up for your lost time.
Will more or fewer people die in the new regime?
Unfortunately, you can't ban stupidity.
I think that this is a great step forward as statistics show that driver distraction is a factor in 20% of all road accidents and a U.S study found that texting increases the risk of a collison 23 times (something that I am guilty of doing!) However, I am also skeptical of how effective the bill will be. In my opinion, all those going out to buy earpieces will be just as dangerous on the road as those who hold their cellphone to their ear to talk - you're still paying less attention to the road. How do you enforce this law anyway? Do the cop cars hidden away in corners check for people on their phones now? And what about the countless excuses that I could think of right off the bat - "my mother called, had to pick up - it could have been an emergency!," "It's the interview call I've been waiting to get for months!," or... "I was calling 911, just witnessed an accident.." and send them off on a wild goose chase... because remember, calling 911 is an exception to this law. :)
Another downside of the ban that I can see is now when your cell phone rings, you need to cross two lanes to get to the right hand shoulder as quickly as possible, then park for 5 minutes on the shoulder, then get back quickly to the fast lane to make up for your lost time.
Will more or fewer people die in the new regime?
Unfortunately, you can't ban stupidity.
Sad but true, I can hardly see this law as enforceable; for the exact reasons that you state. It's so true that the ear piece is equally as distracting as any other form of communication, it's the whole idea of your attention being directed elsewhere; whether it be looking at your phone or focusing on what the person speaking to you is saying to get a clear understanding.
ReplyDeleteNo more distracting than kids in the backseat crying and kicking the drivers seat or a passanger that likes to talk a lot . . .
ReplyDeleteTexting is a serious distraction. . .much worse than talking, because you actually have to take your eyes off of the road. . . How they will enforce it, I don't know?
ReplyDelete