Miata Mailing List: March 1999, Message #99

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-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Williamson <williamp@bit-net.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <miata@realbig.com>
Date: Sunday, February 28, 1999 10:02 PM
Subject: RE: coffee drinking an' cell phone talkin' (NMC)


>At 02/28/99 06:25 PM , Chris Lewis wrote:
>>FWIW A study in Canada compared records of fatal car crashes and the
victims
>>mobile phone records. They concluded that using a phone while driving,
even
>>a hands-free phone, had the same effect as driving while drunk.
>
>
>OOC (Out Of Curiosity), I wonder what the percentage of fatal accidents
>were "caused" by the mobile phone.  I would bet that the answer is
>zero.  However, people who used the phone and placed the conversation over
>their primary focus, driving, as a cause or contributing factor is probably
>higher than one would expect.  I think it is simply because people allow
>themselves to get involved in the conversation, losing their focus on their
>driving.  Banning cell phones isn't the answer, imo, but educating the user
>on using the phone is.

There are several solutions that could be used to solve the widespread
proliferation of cell phones and the dangers to life and limb which are
attributed to this dangerous product.  Particularly since we now have the
afore mentioned "Study" which was probably commissioned by the government or
some politician with his/her own personal agenda.
1. Ban private use/ownership of cell phones. (previoulsy mentioned)
2. Impose a 5 to 15 day waiting period on the purchase of a cell phone.
3. Allow the purchase of only one cell phone a month.
4. Institute an instant check system which registers you as a cell phone
owner with the Government.
5. Institute carry permits for cell phones.  The issuance of said permits
could be denied at the whim of your local government.
6. Require the use of safety locks on cell phone.
7. City governments could become involved in a class action lawsuit against
the manufacturers of cell phones (since the manufacturers are obviously
responsible for the cell phones irresponsible use by the individual).  This
would get the cities off the hook for not enforcing the current cell phone
laws that are already on the books.

The list goes on....................................

WayneC
93 Red (Phredd?)
Norfolk, VA