12th June 2008

I wasn't going to post a comment this week, but the news that Harry Duynhoven has finally stood up after sitting on his hands on the issue of motorists operating cellphones whilst driving (it is election year of course) couldn't pass without mention.

Many spokespersons from motoring organisations have been trotted out by the media to make statements and those that have received prominence have harked on that it's not legislation but education that is needed to dispell the practise.
Absolute poppycock! People will do what they want even though they may think it's morally wrong if they think they can get away with it without fear of consequences. That is why we have laws and penaltys. The fact that cellphone use whilst driving has reached epidemic proportions despite publicity about the dangers bares witness to this. A few ads on TV are not going to alter peoples behaviour. People respond to the carrot and stick approach and in this case, the stick is needed.
To those spokespersons who maintain that the proposed law change doesn't go far enough and all cellphones (hands free included) and any other devices should be included, I say to them... get real. There is already legislation which covers careless driving. At least banning hand held cellphones stops the rot and perhaps it will have a side effect of reducing the self importance people place upon themselves that they have to be contactable every waking moment of the day.

TC