Ald. Burton Natarus and Mayor Richard Daley may be successful in their attempt to limit the use of cellular phones in automobiles, but they are kidding themselves if they fail to realize cell phones are merely one of a growing number of distractions, many the result of high technology.
For one thing, the research that equated the danger of talking on a cell phone with that of drunk driving has been disputed.
Each year cars are manufactured with more features, such as VCRs, which enable drivers to do things that shouldn’t be done while driving.
Does the city plan to pass laws prohibiting drivers from consulting palm-type handheld computers, from reading, writing or sending e-mails? I dare say putting on makeup, smoking, eating, shaving, etc., rank right up there as equally problematic. Having been conditioned to believe in the benefits of what is euphemistically described as “multitasking” appears to have obscured common sense. Is it too much to ask for civilized adults to be responsible for exercising proper judgment?
