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Opinion

Phones don't cause accidents, people do 

Ursula Hawkins
Opinion Columnist

One of the fastest-growing proposals by lawmakers across the country are laws banning talking on cell phones while driving. As of yet, Texas has not been affected by any of these laws, but with the way things are going it looks as if it will only be a matter of time. 

When this law does reach Texas, just about everyone in the city of Houston will immediately become a criminal because just about everyone picks up a cell phone when they are behind the wheel. 

Unfortunately, some states have already done exactly that, such as New York, the first state do so, and California, which followed suit in September saying that in 2008 they would also make it a crime, according to CNN. 

New York and California are two of the most influential states in America, and since they have already made these laws it will not be long before other states follow their lead. Critics claim that people get into accidents because they cannot concentrate on driving if they are holding a cell phone. But, many people drive with only one hand, whether or not the other is holding a phone. 

If someone is incapable of driving while talking on a cell phone, then they really should not be driving at all. Talking on a cell phone is really no different from talking to a person who is in the passenger seat.

In fact, if lawmakers think that it is so dangerous to talk while driving then they might as well make it a crime to have a conversation with someone else the car. 

The purpose of a cell phone is to communicate with others while being in between destinations, because regular phone lines are available once a destination has been reached. If one takes away a person's ability to be accessible by phone while on the road they are taking away the very purpose of cell phones. 

Lawmakers should take into account that not all drivers are simply talking on their cell phones while driving to catch up on the latest gossip. 

Many people really do have important calls to make and cell phones can be very useful at times, especially in cases of an emergency. 

They should spend their time making laws that are worthwhile, such as tougher regulations for drunken and underage drivers, instead of nit-picking at every little thing that people do that annoys them. 

As long as people are not text messaging while driving, then there should be no problem. Accidents on the road are going to happen whether people are on their cell phone or not.

Hawkins, a communication/Spanish sophomore, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu