EDITORIAL – Put cell phone away, don’t dial and drive

Those of us who are planning to go on road trips this spring break should think twice about… Those of us who are planning to go on road trips this spring break should think twice about talking on our cell phones while driving.

According to the Post-Gazette, a recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University professor Marcel Just shows that those who talk on their cell phones while driving experience a 37 percent decline in brain activity, making accidents a far greater possibility.

Just presented the study to members of the House Transportation Committee Wednesday in an effort to encourage the state legislative committee to issue a ban on cell phone use while driving.

Just told the Post-Gazette, “Given that we know it impacts driving and brain function, there’s no reason to allow people to take that risk.”

Unfortunately, many people do not realize the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Seeing drivers talk on the phone seems to have become a normal part of being on the road. Sheila Klauer of Virginia Tech University’s Transportation Institute also presented a study to the committee, which detailed the physical implications of cell phone use while driving.

According to the Post-Gazette, Klauer’s research shows that the potential for accidents increases by two to three times when drivers are distracted by cell phones or similar devices, like iPods or BlackBerrys.

But these dangers should be obvious to drivers. A good driver should know that cell phones are a hazardous distraction. It is unfortunate that legislation is needed in order to encourage drivers to concentrate on driving and just driving. Why can’t people simply be responsible on their own?

However, responsibility and cell phone use seem to be incompatible in today’s world. Take London, for example.

According to Independent Television News of the United Kingdom, authorities have started padding lampposts in London’s Brick Lane in order to prevent injuries incurred as a result of walking and texting at the same time.

Clearly, some people just do not learn. And if passing legislation banning cell phone use while driving is the only way to decrease the amount of injuries and deaths on the road, then that is the step Pennsylvania must take. As reported by the Post-Gazette, currently, a total of 29 states and the District of Columbia have implemented laws to limit the use of cell phones while driving.

As usual, however, Pennsylvania is behind. Thankfully, committee members seem to agree that a ban is necessary, along with other steps to make sure drivers will act responsibly.

Rep. Paul Costa, D-Wilkins, also stressed education as important, telling the Post-Gazette, “If anything, our job is to continue to stress how dangerous this is until people start policing themselves