680NEWS

As I’m sure you’ve heard, last month the Ontario government introduced legislation that, if passed, will force drivers to use hands-free, voice-activated equipment when making calls on their cell phones. This bill would also place a ban on text messaging and e-mailing while driving. Using hand-held GPSs would also be included in this ban. Huge fines of up to $1000 have been bandied about if this law is not respected, as well as up to six demerit points. All of these details will of course be ironed out over the next few months when this bill is expected to become law.

Most of us acknowledge that using a cell phone while driving is a dangerous distraction. I know when I am driving and someone cuts me off or they are driving very slowing or making lane changes without signalling, I often mutter under my breath “cell phone” and I am usually right. There they are, chatting away. Yet, at the same time, I have been guilty of talking on my cell when driving. I don’t chat per se, but I do make quick “maintenance” calls to my daughter to see what she wants for supper. I know, I know - I’m just as guilty as everyone else.

Some claim that the ban will be very hard to enforce,  but when the law comes into effect, I will never use my cell while driving. I respect the law and I do believe that a lot of drivers feel the same way. Just knowing that a law exists that restricts cell phone use when driving will be enough to stop many, whether they think they will be caught or not.

This also has me thinking about other distractions as well. I am notorious for taking my dog with me in the car. I do tether him at times, but if I’m just running the odd errand in the neighbourhood I have been negligent in that regard. Even though he usually stays in the passenger seat there have been times when he has leapt across my chest to bark at a dog he has spotted out my window. This is very, very dangerous. 

So the proposed cell phone ban is forcing me to reassess exactly what it is I do while I am supposed to be driving. I am going to try and be generally more aware of the distractions. It’s not just my cell phone but also my dog, my pager, my GPS, my teenage daughter cranking the radio up to a deafening volume;  rooting around in my purse searching for Blistex; trying to wash a tomato stain off my shirt from the sandwich I was just eating — all of this while driving!! I could go on!! The cell phone is simply scratching the surface of all I do behind the wheel besides doing the one and only thing I should be concentrating on — driving my car.

So yes, I too am a danger with or without a cell phone. But the ban has got me thinking … and for my own safety and the safety of others, I plan on changing my ways. Hopefully it will get others thinking as well.