New Mexico cConsiders banning cell phones - safe driving laws are marching on
New Mexico is considering banning hand held cell phone use on state owned vehicles. Currently, those that drive state vehicles can use a hands held free device but this measure would eliminate that option. This wouldn’t affect New Mexico’s general public but if this ban passes and proves successful, New Mexico might join several states that have a complete ban on cell phones. Those states include Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. General Services Secretary Ed Burckle told the Albuquerque Journal that studies suggest enforcing a ban on all cell phone use in state cars would more than likely decrease accidents.
It is not clear which studies Burckle was referring to but it wasn’t the ones the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted. Based on their findings in states that have phone bans, the only thing that has dropped has been phone use, not accidents. Back in January of 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) recommended that all states start to look at enacting laws which banned cell phones. But that isn’t going to solve it all. Russ Rader, IIHS spokesman, said, “Part of it is that distracted driving is much bigger than just phones, so focusing on phones doesn’t deal with the full spectrum of things that distract.” But the IIHS isn’t endorsing driving down the road with your knees just so you can surf the web on your phone either.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become a real problem in today’s fast-paced, technology fueled world. Many people travel for business and are on the road for extended periods of time. Opponents to New Mexico’s law stated that it would make employees less productive if they had to ignore their phones when driving down the road. Some of the largest issues with distracted driving stem from texting while driving. The average text message requires you to take your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. During that time, you can travel the length of a football field in a car. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that distracted driving created close to 3,000
crash
deaths last year.
But distracted driving can be many things. Right now there are three different categories of distracted driving: manual, visual, and cognitive.
Cognitive distraction is when a driver is distracted mentally. This includes things such as talking to a passenger or being pre-occupied in thoughts. Trying to enact a ban on either types of this distraction would be impossible.
The second type of distraction is visual distraction. When are you looking at anything besides the road, you are visually distracted. If a driver is messing with the radio or checking their rearview mirror for their children, they are visually distracted. If you’re looking at a phone, this is visually distracting.
The third type of distraction is manual. This occurs when a driver takes one or both hands off the wheel while driving. Examples of manual distraction include grabbing something from your middle console, answering your phone with your hand, or drinking that milkshake you just bought.
While these categories and examples can seem simplistic because they involve things that most drivers do every day, they are some of the most commons causes of accidents. Driver can fall into a comfort zone, especially if they travel often in the same direction and possess a high sense of self confidence in their ability to navigate the car. It is important to remember that each time you are on the road is never the same and the potential for an accident is always
there.
What if You Are a Distracted Driver?
If you frequently multi-task while you drive, you might want to consider a different approach. Right now, the majority of states don’t have a cell phone ban but when you are traveling, be aware of a particular state’s laws. If you have to, turn your cell phone off if you know you can’t resist the temptation when that ringer goes off. Check and see if hands free devices are allowed. This might be an alternative to explore which can at least allow you to keep your hands on the wheel. Make sure everything, including people, is secure in your car before you leave the driveway. If an emergency occurs that needs your immediate assistance, try to pull over before you start to fix the problem. Don’t eat and drive. Don’t text and drive. Those things are simple.
New Car Technology
If you are in the market for a new car, look for some that have new technology
which makes it easier for a driver to know if they are approaching a stopped car or a pedestrian. If your eyes are on the road all the time, it can be argued that a driver doesn’t need this technology but car companies are trying to deal with the reality that, occasionally, drivers will be distracted. Just don’t let this lull you into driving complacency. You are still the responsible party and that is how your insurance company looks at it.
Think About Your Insurance Company
If you are cited for distracted driving, especially talking on a cell phone where it is banned, your premiums will more than likely increase. If you get another ticket at the same time, such as speeding, or you manage to accumulate multiple tickets over time, you can be sure your premiums will rise. This is because the more distracted of a driver you are, your insurance places you in a high risk category meaning you are more likely to get in an accident rather than someone that avoids talking on their phone. And your insurance company is probably right on this one. So to avoid a possible accident and higher insurance premiums, keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on the driving task at hand.
