New cell phone restrictions unlikely

Cell phones are a distraction ... no question about it. You find that out in cars, in stores, in offices and at home. One minute you are casually driving or strolling along; the next moment you are jolted by the jangling of a cell phone. The ringing may be for you; or it may be for someone else; but, regardless, your daily routine is interrupted.

In this busy world, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. The good thing is the cell phone's tremendous convenience. Those carrying cell phones are immediately accessible, which is especially important in times of emergency.

But on the other side of the issue, there are the matters of courtesy and safety. While it's nice that those with cell phones are reachable at any time and at any place, the instant communication is also an intrusion on daily life. Face-to-face conversations are often cut off in mid-sentence as those being called stop to answer the phone.

There are also concerns about cell phones' effect on driving safety. It has reached the point where two states -- New Jersey and New York -- have passed cell phone restrictions, and 31 other states, including Nebraska, have considered such legislation.

The latest measure in Nebraska was introduced this session by State Sen. Jim Cudaback of Riverdale. According to an article by Michael O'Connor in the Omaha World-Herald, the measure would allow the use of cell phones while driving if the phones were equipped with hands-free devices. Also, Cudaback's bill would allow hand-held phones to be used for emergency calls.

Similar plans have been introduced before and have not advanced. State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton doesn't believe this plan will either. "Drivers face many distractions -- such as eating, drinking coffee, loud music and taking care of their kids or grandkids. Cell phones are just one of many distractions and it will be difficult to regulate them without dealing with all the other distractions."

Jerry Vap of McCook, chairman of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, agrees. "Sen. Baker's on the right track with his bill to increase fines for speeding. That's a much greater threat to driving safety."

Still, Vap says drivers need to exercise caution and common sense when they get cell phone calls while driving. "When I have an important call come in, I pull over to the side of road and take whatever time is needed to conduct the business before returning to the highway."

Although much cussed and discussed, cell phones were given as the cause of accidents by only one percent of the 75,436 drivers involved in traffic mishaps in Nebraska in 2003, according to statistics quoted by the World-Herald's O'Connor.

Yes, cell phones can be a problem. But, at this point, it doesn't appear there will be legislative action to control their use by drivers.