Cell Phones/Alcohol… Which Is Worse?

     At the Pennsylvania Governor’s Safety and Health Conference in 2005, I listened intently as an ex state trooper reported that cell phones are now responsible for as many highway accidents as is alcohol. That’s right; cell phones are causing as many accidents as drunk drivers. The use of this wonderful modern convenience, (and it clearly is) is not without it’s consequences and in some cases they are far worse than having to listen to a stranger report on his prowess with the ladies or to a mother as she shouts at her teenage daughter. (Or a ring tone that makes your ears bleed) I am sure that you have been behind someone that is so engrossed in a conversation that they are oblivious to traffic lights, or seen someone swerve back and forth repeatedly as they talk to whomever about whatever.

     I was in a gym recently that has a strict no cell phone policy. When I reminded the patron on the machine next to me of this they reported that they had to check in with their kids. Everyone has the reason that exempts them from the rules. You don’t understand….I have kids at home! I reminded this person that generations of moms and dads managed to raise their children without the use of cell phones. I am not singling out parents here; we are all guilty of this to some extent myself included. I am not naïve, I know that the manners and courtesies that my generation was raised with are a thing of the past, today we want what we want when we want it! Life is much faster than ever before and everyone is in a hurry, but let’s ask ourselves this question. Is that phone call so important that it’s worth risking a life?  Excuse me but I have to take this call…it’s important!