ALEXANDRIA, Va.-The majority of Americans do not want the government regulating their rights to communicate while driving, according to a poll released by the Personal Communications Industry Association.
The poll, conducted by the Washington D.C.-based polling firm of Penn, Schoen and Berland, also showed that 61 percent of respondents felt safety and security while driving was very important.
PCIA President Jay Kitchen, appearing as a guest on CNN’s TalkBack Live to discuss the potential of banning cell phone use while driving, said efforts to legislate driving distractions and introduce more laws aren’t the solution. Kitchen, who pointed out that current laws already enable law enforcement officials to pull over people who drive recklessly, said the answer is a combination of common sense and good driving habits in tandem with existing laws.
“Cell phones are doing an awful lot of good out there these days. Over 20 million calls are made annually to report reckless drivers, drunken drivers and people that are not controlling their vehicles,” said Kitchen. “I don’t think we want to do anything to stop people from using their cell phones.”
Kitchen also noted most companies in the wireless industry encourage cell phone users to use hands-free devices when driving or to place calls when not in motion.
