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PRO
It would be wrong to suggest that using a hand held phone while driving is a risk free act. All of
us know that adjusting a radio, using dash board controls, eating, or giving attention to children in the back seat while
driving interferes with our concentration. Is it possible, though that the complete story on cell phone use while driving
is still being collected.
Except for the obvious and tragic cases, the verdict on this subject is not really in. Police
have only recently started including in their reports how the use of a cell phone while driving contributed or did not contribute
to an accident.
For years people have been driving while engaged in other activities and let’s face it, some folks
are simply better drivers than others. In my opinion, a bad driver is someone who is not fully aware of the road and traffic
conditions that he or she is a part of. They do not sense when extra concentration and caution is required and taking the
act of driving a vehicle for granted. These types of drivers are likely to have an accident even while not otherwise distracted.
How much of a danger or how safe we are while driving and talking is also related to how well we are familiar with
the roads that we are driving on. If I’ve driven a particular route before, I’ll be a better driver on that road.
Weather
conditions are maybe the most significant factor in driving that exists. If the weather is clear, we are all going to be safer,
we are all better drivers, and the relation to road conditions make those bad drivers all the more dangerous.
During
the best of situations, how much real risk is there? Perhaps it is so small a risk that the benefits of using a cell phone
while driving are greater than the dangers involved.
Advantages to the use of cell phones are numerous. Who wouldn’t
feel more secure when a loved one is out, knowing that under any traffic condition or situation help is simply a phone call
away. Cell phones sure would come in handy as well for conditions such as a flat tire, traffic jams, accidents, highway construction
and the like. A quick call can put those dear to us at peace, once they know everything is all right.
Cell phones
also can be helpful when an emergency at home occurs. A child’s other parent can be notified if they were to perhaps break
an arm while out playing and needs to go to the hospital. Maybe a prescription needs to be filled and the one parent does
not want to leave the child alone.
In a world of checks and balances, all sides of an issue must be examined carefully
before laws are passed to disallow the use of newer technologies. However, common sense still must prevail.
George
K.
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CON
“Hey honey, why don’t you call the Bell’s on the cell and ask them if I’m supposed to turn off at exit 11A
or 11B, I really don’t want to miss the game.”
“Sure hon, that game is so important to you isn’t it?”
“Come
on Alexandra, you know this is the championship game. We’ve had this evening planned for weeks now. What’s with the attitude,
anyway. You like the Bell’s as much as I do.”
“Graham, you can be so insensitive sometimes. You don’t give me the same
consideration that you give a damn game on T.V. Put a couple of pizzas out and some cold beer and your Mr. Polite all of
a sudden and you have to call over being ten minutes late. Didn’t you bring the directions to their house?”
“No, I
left them home.”
“Idiot.”
“What’s with you Alex, all I said was to call and ask for directions? What’s your
problem? Look in the glove compartment.”
“It isn’t there.’
“How about in your bag?”
“My bag?” What do
you mean my bag? I don’t have it. Where did you put it?” You had it last.”
“Just keep looking will ya?”
“Do
you remember three weeks ago whe……”
“Three weeks ago? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Yea, three weeks
ago when you were stuck in that traffic jam when I was supposed to go to that art show with Sue?”
“Yea, yea. What about
it? What does that have to do with finding the cell phone? What does that have to do with anything?”
“You didn’t call
me on the cell phone that night now did you, dear?”
“Damn, you women are like elephants with that memory gland, aren’t
you” Or is that Mammary?”
“Stop it! Keep your hands on the wheel.”
“Alex, do I say anything when you call your
mother and argue over the color of rugs while we’re on our way over there anyway? You do that kind of stuff all the time.
Look under the seat.”
“You didn’t call me and tell me you would be late that night, but for a game……”
“That’s
different. Did you find it?”
“Oh, I’m different than a game, huh?”
“Come on baby, you know what I mean. It’s
just that……...”
“There it is, under your seat. Probably right where you put it, Grahamit.”
“Funny, very funny.
All right, I’ll hand it to you as soon as I can ……
“Look out, look out,,,,,,..”
“Baby, I’m worried.
The Watson’s are three hours late and there is no answer at their house”
“I told you not to worry. Something probably
came up all of a sudden and they couldn’t make it. Their kids are with Alexandra’s folks and I’ll see Graham tomorrow at work.”
“Yea
but they should have called. I have a bad feeling…….”
“Relax sweetheart, you know how Graham is.”
“Yea, I guess
so. Is the game over? I wanted to catch the news before I go to bed.”
“Yea, sure, go ahead.”
……..”three car
accident on Highway 71 that claimed the lives of nine people tonight may have occurred during a cell phone call, as a cell
phone in the on position was found in one of the cars involved. Among the dead are four adults and five children. Identification
of the victims is being withheld until notification of family members is completed,”
“Bill, doesn’t that look like…
the Watson’s Blue…Oh no…Oh my GOD no..”
CP
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