| Commuters often multitask while driving around town, | | | | between the ages of 18 and 24 text-message while |
| whether it's eating a quick lunch, glancing at a map, or | | | | driving. This is extremely dangerous. Studies show that |
| putting on makeup. These activities can cause | | | | the steering control of a driver who is text-messaging |
| dangerous distractions to drivers. Among the most | | | | is reduced by 90%. Furthermore, the reaction time of |
| common forms of distraction for multitasking drivers is | | | | someone texting while driving is reduced 35%, three |
| cellular phone use. | | | | times more than a drunk driver's reduced reaction time |
| As cell phones have become more of necessity in | | | | of 12%. |
| society, drivers are talking on their phones to catch up | | | | In Utah, certain legislators are proposing cell phone |
| with family, hear about a friend's day, or find out if the | | | | bans. Representative Phil Riesen is submitting a strict |
| big business contract went through. Cell phone use is | | | | bill that would outlaw all cell phone use while driving, |
| common form of distraction among drivers. With | | | | including hands-free headsets, text-messaging, and |
| advances in technology, drivers are not only talking on | | | | emailing. His bill makes exceptions for emergency |
| the phone, but also texting and emailing while behind | | | | situations and two-way radios. A recent survey |
| the wheel. Studies and research are surfacing that | | | | conducted by the Salt Lake Tribune found that 80% of |
| examine the dangers of cell phone use. | | | | Utah residents favor a cell phone ban. |
| According to research performed by the Harvard | | | | Despite research showing the dangers of cell phone |
| Center of Risk Analysis, 6% of traffic accidents | | | | use and overwhelming citizen support for a legislative |
| nationwide are the result of cell phone use. This | | | | ban, some Utah lawmakers are opposed to such a bill. |
| equates to 330,000 injuries and 2,600 deaths annually. | | | | Opponents of the bill suggest that such a law would |
| While many drivers switch to hands-free cell phones in | | | | infringe on civil liberties. Other opponents point out that |
| an attempt to driver more safely, research conducted | | | | laws already exist which penalize distracted driving. |
| at the University of Utah show absolutely no | | | | In what will likely be a heated debate, Utah legislators |
| difference in concentration levels between drivers | | | | will soon be deciding the fate of multitasking drivers |
| using hands-free cell phone and drivers using hand-held | | | | across the state. Regardless of the legislature's |
| cell phones. | | | | decision, we would all benefit from turning our cell |
| Text-messaging poses even more of a danger than | | | | phones off before we get behind the wheel. |
| simply talking on the cell phone. Nearly 50% of drivers | | | | |