Based on my daily observations I'm somewhat in agreement with the need for restrictions.
Not all, but so many drivers fail to prioritize. Be the distraction from converstion, music, eating, reading, makeup, whatever-the-hell besides eyes ahead, the average driver appears to do a terrible job.
I rarely notice phones before I notice the erratic vehicle and then the driver with a phone (or with a newspaper, or food, etc.) If talking on the phone were as transient as other distractions I might feel differently, but the demonstrated effect on average driver ability seems to put it in its own class.
The fact is remote conversations take mental commitment and duration many of those other things do not. Some people handle it well, others do not. Adding the physical impairment doesn't help. Holding the phone with one hand or doing the head/shoulder clamp (nice effect on perspective). The best talkers throw in Italian sign-language for an added challenge.
Short of tougher training and testing which we as a society seem reluctant to face, removing the low-hanging-fruit is the next best option. At least for the short term. In ten years we'll all be driving vehicles with automatic braking, right?
Tougher licensing standards always makes me think of the money angle. Tougher standards would be expensive. Non-drivers don't buy gasoline, tires, insurance, etc, or cars. Those are tough lobbies to fight. Fewer drivers means more reliance on public transportation. That'd shine a glaring light on our city planning and transportation infrastructure.
It's also another relatively petty issue that strikes an emotional chord in a large voting population, thereby distracting them from larger issues. It's almost in the same class as Flag burning legislation.
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Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct
... I feel that the drive-right laws should be enforced with anti-tank weaponry, if necessary.
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