Drivers see cell phone ban as a positive safety measure

infoTECH News

[June 27, 2010]

Drivers see cell phone ban as a positive safety measure

HIGH POINT, Jun 27, 2010 (High Point Enterprise - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A proposal that would provide incentives to states for enacting laws against talking on cell phones while driving is gaining momentum in U.S. congressional committees, and many local residents say they would support such a law.

The act proposes that any state that adopts stricter laws on cell-phone usage while driving would receive grant money. The laws would ban drivers from using handheld cell phones and require a complete ban of cell-phone use for drivers younger than 18.

The National Safety Council officially backed the proposal June 8.

North Carolina already has taken one step in that direction by banning texting while driving.

John Presley, 36, of High Point, who was shopping at the Walmart on N. Main St., said he would be fine if the ban is put in place.

"I don't talk on my cell phone ever while driving," Presley said.

Terri Jones, 40, of Winston-Salem, agrees. "If it's really that important of a call, you should pull over and talk," Jones said. "If it's so important, you aren't concentrating on the road." Hannah Weant, 21, of High Point, admits that she talks on her phone while driving, but would be willing to give that up to improve safety. "The act should be adopted because texting and talking on cell phones is dangerous," Weant said. "Of course I want to talk, but in all seriousness, it's dangerous." Weant added that "it's hard to distinguish whether someone is typing in a phone number or texting. Both keep your eyes off of the road." As for the total ban on phones for teen drivers, Presley said he believes it is definitely needed.

"Kids can't drive anyway. Talking on cell phones (inhibits) their reaction time and wrecks are caused," Presley said.

High Point resident Renee Meeks, 33, said children watch the adults around them and mimic their actions.

"Adults are role models for kids and set an example," Meeks said. "It's hypocritical to say that teens can't talk on cell phones while adults can. Teens can't handle talking on the phone and driving. It leads to accidents." As for the grant money North Carolina would receive, all agree that it should not be the reason why our state adopts the act.

"It would be a nice bonus to get the grant money, but the state government should accept the act for safety reasons," Meeks said.

editor@hpe.com -- 888-3537 To see more of the High Point Enterprise, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.hpe.com. Copyright (c) 2010, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

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