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Public Knows Not to Drive and Talk, Does It Anyway

by Warren Riddle on July 24, 2009 at 07:27 AM


A recent Harris Interactive poll reveals that the overwhelming majority of U.S. cell phone users have, at some point, witnessed inappropriate public cell phone use. Nearly none of them, however, seem ready to admit that they are guilty themselves.

According to Matt Richtel's investigative piece for the New York Times, that same hypocritical obliviousness especially applies to texting and talking while driving. The Times says, "New studies show that drivers overestimate their ability to safely multitask, even as they worry about the dangers of others doing it."

Richtel's investigation delves into numerous studies and statistics, and determines that even though politicians, cell phone companies, and the public are all aware of the dangers of gadget-distracted drivers, regulations regarding the practice have been slow to materialize. Out of the nearly 170 bills introduced by state legislators addressing the issue, less than 10 have been passed so far. The Times attributes this to numerous factors, including unwilling politicians and the bottomless coffers of cell phone lobbyist groups.

Despite evidence that multitasking drivers are four times more likely to be involved in an accident than focused drivers, Utah state representative Carl Wimmer believes it to be a freedom issue, claiming "You can't legislate stupidity." While that may certainly be true, it's never stopped politicians from trying. [From: The New York Times]

Tags: driving while talking, driving while texting, DrivingWhileTalking, DrivingWhileTexting, dwt, law, legislation, top

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