Chatty drivers just as bad as drunk ones

I am not what you would call a political person. Sure, I get bent out of shape when I fear the… I am not what you would call a political person. Sure, I get bent out of shape when I fear the government is going to try to annex my uterus, but in general, I am not someone who takes up causes. I’m that girl who, halfway through the demonstration, is thinking about how tired her arm is from holding that sign and wondering where we’re going to lunch.

Now, though, I have a cause. I’m taking a stand. I may not understand what’s going on in Israel enough to form a passionate opinion and get into a big argument with you about it, but there is one thing I do have a strong opinion on. That thing is cell phones. Or, more specifically, cell phone use while driving.

Because I have zero confidence in my ability to drive without killing small children or destroying mailboxes, I’ve never been one to multitask in the car. I’ll change the radio station or sip on a (non-alcoholic) beverage, but that’s about as far as it goes. I’m too busy trying to keep myself from gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white and attempting to convince myself that it’s OK to drive slightly over the speed limit so that people don’t tailgate me. Naturally, the idea of carrying on a phone conversation with a little plastic rectangle shoved between my shoulder and ear seems incredibly unsafe to me, and apparently I’m not alone.

Studies have shown that cellular phones are a bigger distraction than other more common distractions, such as music, reaching for something on the adjacent seat and even talking to another passenger. A study conducted in Perth, Australia, whose results were released in July, indicates that drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident that could seriously injure them or someone else if they are talking on a cell phone.

Interestingly, results of similar studies have shown that using hands-free sets doesn’t reduce the risk that comes with distraction. New York passed a law banning the use of hand-held phones while driving in 2001, and several other states have followed suit by banning cell phone use in certain situations or by certain groups, such as teenagers.

The other night a friend of mine was giving me a ride. It was dark out and raining. Someone called her and she answered. As she talked, making turns and fiddling with the volume on the stereo, I began to feel more and more uncomfortable.

Then I realized that of course I felt uncomfortable! I wouldn’t get into a car with someone who’d been drinking, so of course I wouldn’t feel comfortable getting in a car with someone almost as impaired. It’s rude when you get right down to it. Not only is this person ignoring me, but also they’re doing something that might get me killed!

As I sat there, feeling more and more uncomfortable and not saying anything, I decided to stop. From now on, I don’t get into the car with cell phone talkers. You want to talk on the phone with me in the car? I’ll get my own ride, thanks.

And speaking of cell phones, what ever happened to coming up with a grocery list before you head to the store? Now, every time I go to Whole Foods, I hear one-sided conversations of, “Honey, they don’t have organic honeydew melons. Do you want some free-range papaya instead?”

Don’t even get me started on the video store. You can barely hear yourself think at Blockbuster on a Friday evening. Thank goodness for NetFlix. I don’t use it, but I’m glad it’s keeping people and their indecisive, homebound significant others out of the aisles.

People, we don’t need to be in constant communication. If you come home with grapes instead of cantaloupe, or your friend doesn’t know why you’re a couple of minutes late until you arrive, the world will not come to a screeching halt. None of us are so interesting that everyone we know needs constant updates on our comings and goings.

I invite all readers of this column to take a stand against dangerous and inappropriate cellular phone use. We’ll start a revolution. Not only will it not be televised, it’ll be quiet.

Email Diane at ms.guided@gmail.com.