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Miami Beach October 2006 -
Just read a copied letter sent from the City of
 Doral
to the Miami Beach City Manager who intern sent it on to the City
Commission. It deals with cellular phone use in vehicles.
This note got
me curious to hit Google and research the cell phone use or should I say
misuse. Unfortunately most of the sites were far from current in facts and
figures. Some even gave contradicting information on things as simple as
"what states had laws".
Trying to cut
through the babbling I did note a few things that everyone agreed on.
First, about
80% of the vehicle accidents occurred due to distractions. They included
changing the radio, fumbling for a drink, putting on make-up, fumbling
with a map and yes, talking on a cell phone.
Second, most
felt talking on cell phones were not a distraction if the phone was not
hand held but rather the talker used an ear piece.
Third, some
45 Countries have adopted no-driving cell phone usage.
Forth,
various states have struggled with new laws but few have created laws.
Connecticut, New York and New Jersey will soon be joined by California in
creating more restrictive laws. Next July 1, 2008, the California law
abolishing the drive-talk use will be met with fines.
The City of
Doral sent a passed motion to Miami Beach Manager
 stating
they wanted the State of Florida to forbid vehicle drivers from using cell
phones while driving through a school zone. After searching the Florida
records there was some suggested rules debated in the past yet the
legislatures wanted to side-step the issue and pass the right to create
laws to municipalities. Governor Bush vetoed the bill. Such a law would
and could cause drivers total confusion as they moved from city line to
city line.
Doral is
correct in asking the State legislature to be the law makers on this issue
and not local municipalities and so too Gov. Bush. However, this writer
feels making the rule only for school zones is short sighted. They also
should have suggested that non-hand held phones be exempt. What difference
does it make if a driver is talking to a passenger while watching the road
with hands on the wheel and talking? Perhaps if talking is so distracting
maybe there should be a law regarding singing to the radio music while
going through a school zone?
Who of us
hasn't experienced some jerk, driving near or behind us holding a cell
phone wandering over the lane-line markings or coming too close as we slow
for a traffic light? On this topic last month I had such a person clobber
the back bumper of my vehicle while I was awaiting a traffic light to
change. That cell phone call cost her $875.00 and a moving violation
citation. (And maybe an insurance premium increase - ouch).
Certainly we
all should drive responsibly when in or near a school zone. In fact with
the rule now limited to 15 MPH State-wide, I have to wonder how many
accidents have been recorded in these school zones caused by phones. Maybe
Doral has some astounding accident numbers. But I couldn't find any web
site facts on this. Sounds a little like local feel-good legislation
again. Must be an election day for Doral politicians.
On that
crosswalk school zone let me voice another experience. I was traveling on
a 6 lane divided road in Broward. Numerous cars were waiting on
 both
sides for the light to change. Finally it did and 3 teenagers (I guess
about age 16-17 or there about) viewed the red light but stepped into the
crosswalk just the same. What they were doing was daring the cars to hit
them. They were fully aware of the green light and the "Do not cross" sign
blinking.
Where is the
law that deals with teens deliberately ignoring the traffic lights and
perhaps causing accidents? Certainly when teens reach the age 16 or more
they should be held responsible for their actions.
Perhaps a State
cell phone law should be enacted not just for school zones but like the
California law, all though the State. However the rule should apply to
hand-held phones not no-hands phones with ear plugs or dash speakers.
Yet in a
perfect world maybe using a cell phone in grocery stores, restaurants and
other close public areas should be enacted as well. Once again I waited my
turn in the local sub-shop behind some teen who found it more important to
gab to a friend then place an order. On his leaving I then had learned his
friend was working in Blockbuster, getting off at 9 and the two were going
to do something after work. Typical example of others-be-dammed.
Cell phones are
here to stay. In fact the number of users has increased incredibly since
2002. The number of users is astounding vs. the population. So too,
business efficiency has increased and searching by a parent for a youth is
now only a call away. (That is if the phone is always in a high bar
charged area).
But it appears
that with every new electronic gadget come responsible users and jerks. It
is unfortunate that laws have to be created so these jerks don't adversely
affect other lives.
You guessed it;
I still don't own a cell phone. I do have a home answering machine that
takes messages to which I return calls AT MY leisure. Personally I find it
annoying to be at the beck-and-call or should I say on-a-leash to anyone
that wants to invade my privacy. By the way I also carry coin change in my
pocket, so any street phone is call accessible if and when I must make a
not-home call.
Editors Note: The largest violators of cell phone use while driving
that I see are cab drivers and police both of which can be regulated
locally. The police by the chief and taxies by the county commission. In
doing so they both would set a good example for others. |
