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Should Cell Phone Use While Driving be Banned Entirely?

Usually, when someone tells me cell phone use while driving should be banned, I think of people using hands-free devices.  This is what has become acceptable by law and here in Nevada, will be officially enforced starting January 1^st, 2012.  However, I recently came across an article that may change the cell phone use debate yet again.  In the article, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) wants the ban of all non-emergency use of portable electronic devices for all drivers.  If successful, this would all but eliminate the use of cell phones while driving, even if you were using hands-free options. 

The NTSB is trying to make this the new law in every state in the United States.  For those who do not agree with them, fortunately, your voice has been heard.  There are those who do not share their views and feel this opinion is based on faulty information.  This sets up a debate that the outcome will affect millions of drivers who use cell phones while driving.  With the number of accidents being reported worldwide due to distractive driving, should the use of cell phones while driving be banned entirely?superpawn.com

According to Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairperson of the National Transportation Safety Board, this decision was not made lightly but has been researched since 2002.  This is when a driver, distracted by the use of a cell phone, ended up veering off the highway and ultimately killed five people.  Also, Kentucky’s worst highway accident in a generation resulted in the deaths of 11 people.  A truck driver, using his cell phone, became distracted and crossed the median which resulted in hitting a van.  These are but a couple of incidents that brought about the idea of looking into the relationship between cell phone uses and distracted driving.  As of last year, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that 3,092 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes.

Evidence supporting the banning of cell phone use while driving entirely is strong.  The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reports an accident or near-accident is 6.7 times more likely when a driver is using or reaching for an electronic device.  In their minds, the easiest way to lower the risks of distracted driving is not to use a cell phone at all, despite having the ability to use hands-free options.  Despite the evidence supporting their claim, others do not agree with the NTSB.  In fact, some of their research is faulty and should not be considered in calling for the ban of hands-free devices while driving.