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Safety Concern on our Roads
There's a growing, new, safety concern on our roads, which is hazardous to our well being. No, I'm not talking about drunk drivers, road rage, poor roads or bad weather conditions. I'm talking about something much more socially acceptable ' cellular phones! A must have today.
The terminology 'cell' is quite appropriate. As I see it, once people get used to them, they become locked in, a kind of jail 'cell' of habitual use. Frankly, I do admit they offer some advantages for the businessperson, especially if one's job involves deadlines, quick decisions or emergency care.
But once a 'cell' enters the domain of a vehicle, it can pose a serious safety concern for you, your passengers, for other drivers and pedestrians.
Here's some news for everyone who works and drives a vehicle ' your car is NOT your office! Your car is a means of transportation ' to get you and your passengers, from point A to point B in comfort and safety.
The technological revolution that has spawned helpful safety features in vehicles has also made today's cars into mini-offices. We can use laptop computers, fax machines and now, cell phones in our cars. When will we use common sense'
Backed by studies, this is what happens to our concentration when we use cell phones and drive. A number of drivers were fitted with hands-free cell phones so they didn't even have to look away from the road or manually operate the phone. They were then asked, over the phone, to do some addition (i.e. 39 + 42) and some simple addition (i.e. 5 + 8).
Eye tracking equipment recorded visual scanning patterns and other equipment measured vehicle control. Subjective evaluations of workload, safety and distractions were obtained via subsequent driver questionnaires. The results.
Under these conditions, drivers spent more time looking straight ahead and less time looking to the left and right, checking instruments and checking the rear view mirror. They made fewer of those quick eye or head movements often associated with driving more carefully. Finally, when braking, the application was aggressive. Bottom Line: driver behavior changed ' for the worse!
The use of hand-held cell phones, while driving, is not banned in Canada. However, many provinces are currently considering legislation that would prohibit this. At the same time, the existing laws are very clear. If you cause a collision by using a cell phone, or are observed driving unsafely while using one, you could be charged with a number of offenses including careless driving, dangerous driving or criminal negligence causing injury or death.
The most important aspect to remember is this: Hands-free is not risk-free. While headphones are less cumbersome physically, it is concentrating, on the conversation at hand, which creates the problem. When you concentrate on the phone call, you can't fully concentrate on the road.
It's easy to pop a CD or cassette into your car stereo system, or grab a quick snack ' you don't have to think about what you're doing. This, according to researchers, is the key.
Now if you must, must, must use your cell phone, pull over and stop or let a passenger make or take the call. Keep calls simple and matter-of-fact. Don't get emotional or into detail. Stay in the right-hand lane and please, don't try to take notes while talking.
After much soul-searching, the only benefit I can possibly imagine from using a cell phone, while driving your vehicle, is to report an accident. Even then, it's still best to pull over and make the call.
Let's summarize. Chances are you won't die from missing a phone call. But you may indeed die or cause a death by making or receiving a call in your vehicle! All it takes is a lapse in concentration for a split second.
Next week we'll look at alcohol, drunk driving and breathalyzers. With holiday party time looming, it's a timely topic. In the meantime, DRIVE SAFELY.
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