Cell-phone use is distracting
Dear Editor:
Your article “Subcommittee agrees mobile phones distract, wants more data” addresses the hazards of cell-phone use while driving. As the sponsor of the Response Insurance National Driving Habits Survey, a scientifically valid survey of drivers from around the nation that covered this topic, we would like to weigh in on this issue.
Although our survey revealed American drivers being distracted by many activities, the results clearly point to the inherent dangers of cell-phone usage while driving. Our survey found that it is the distraction, rather than the specific activity that is the problem. Drivers are increasingly engaging in activities that take their hands, and more importantly, their focus of attention off the road.
Twenty-nine percent of those polled indicated they routinely phone and drive and 13 percent of those polled reported it has either caused or nearly caused them to get into an accident. Cell-phone use is not necessarily more a distraction than many other activities, but that does not mean that cell-phone use while driving is safe.
Mory Katz
Chairman
Response Insurance
White Plains, N.Y.
Talk about distraction …
To the Editor:
First of all, I want to say that I really enjoy your publication. I am the Retail Sales Manager for Cellular One in Wenatchee, Wash.
I was reading the May 14th publication, and saw a few articles pertaining to cell phones being a distraction while driving. I would have to agree with this to some degree. I use a Nokia built-in car kit, and it helps tremendously to keep my focus on the road. I think hands free kits are a necessity.
However, I was taken aback when I turned to page 20, and saw an ad for MERICOM, showing a man driving down the road with his hand on an open lap top! Talk about a distraction!
This is not a criticism, just wondering, what with all the debate going on about cell phones being a driving distraction, I would hope that you would think twice about this kind of ad. At least with a cell phone you can keep your eyes on the road.
Bob Firth
Wenatchee, Wash.
