"No, Don't Prohibit Their Use"

Katie Rupp
June 30, 2007
#7

Chapter 17 of our book discusses the positives, and the negatives of cell phone use while driving. The first essay entitled, "Yes, Prohibit Their Use" appeared on the Congressional Quarterly's website, www.cq.com. These advocates for cell phone safety argue that using a cell phone while driving causes accidents, property damage, and even fatalities. The advocates claim that they cause more damage then we know because of the lack of reliable data collection. In Japan, where data was collected, it showed cell phone related accidents "dropped by 75%" after being banned.

Robert W. Hahn and Paul Tetlock believe that cell phones should not be prohibited while driving. Their essay, "No, Don't Prohibit Their Use" argues a ban would not make sense. They admit that cell phones do cause accidents and fatalities, but argue that the vennefits outway the risks. Claiming that cell phone accidents only make up less than 1% of the annual total.

I agree with Hahn and Tetlock, like them I concede that cell phones do play a part in many traffic accidents. I can not deny that I have mumbled a few curse words at fellow drivers who were not paying attention because of their cell phone use. I understand the negatives taht go along with it. If calls were banned, how many accidents would acure because of drivers urgently pulling to the side of the highway, or interstates? Would more accidents occur from drivers falling asleep becuase they had noone to keep them company? How much money would people lose because they were unable to conduct business over the phone on their comute.

If we take away our right to talk on a cell phone ( in a car ) what is next? No radio, no smoking, no passengers to disract you. Until real evidence can be given on this matter, I believe that it should be left alone.