Distracted by Cell Phone; hits semi-

Did you catch the article in this morning's Northwest Herald about the teen who wrecked her car after reportedly being distracted by use of her cell phone? Thanks to Sarah Sutschek for providing a good accounting of how that accident occurred.

According to Lake in the Hills PD Sgt. Mark Smith, the driver ran off Hwy. 47 near Ackman Road (most would think that to be Huntley, but it must be in Lake in the Hills) because she was "doing something with her phone". After she drove onto the shoulder, the driver over-corrected and hit a southbound tractor-tractor.

Good timing, eh? Wrecked her car, hit the semi-, and damaged another car.

Just how long will it take our legislators (state, county or local) to create a law prohibiting cell phone usage by a driver of a moving car?

The girl had probably paid attention in Driver's Ed to the law that a driver under 18 is not to use a cell phone. Too bad she didn't learn "why". The rules changed when she hit 18.

Every day I see drivers who cannot drive safely and talk on phones at the same time. It is possible to use a cell phone and drive safely. Most don't. That's why you see cars coming at you on Route 14 creeping over the center line, see drivers stop late at stop signs, cruise through red lights, turn right on red, etc.

Researchers say that the brain cannot do two things at the same time. For most, this will mean drive OR talk on the cell phone.

Driving defensively becomes all the more important as cell phone use behind-the-wheel continues to increase.

Driving & Cell Phones

Still think it's safe to drive your car and use a cellular telephone? At the same time?

The other day I was stopped on Calhoun at Madison, waiting for cross-traffic to clear. You know that intersection; right? It's the one where the railroad tracks not only cross Madison, but they also cross Calhoun. Westbound traffic on Calhoun often busts up the grade and over the tracks, descending on the intersection at too great a rate of speed and with little care for traffic crossing on Madison.

Along comes a car from the east, over the tracks and toward the intersection. And what gets in the way? A driver (it happened to be a woman this time, but I've seen men do that same thing) on her cell phone started up northbound on Madison from the stop sign. And she didn't even get in a hurry to cross Calhoun after the driver suddenly appeared to her right. Fortunately, he got on the brakes quickly and stopped just in time. He had to come to a full stop and wait while she slowly crossed the intersection.

I was reminded of a newscast recently, when a researcher at the University of South Carolina was interviewed about his project - a study of brainwave activity when a driver is on a cellular phone. According to an article posted on the USC website, Dr. Amit Almor "conducts research on language and memory (the brain’s ability to acquire, organize, revise and store information)."

Surprise! The brain can't do two things at the same time. No kidding!

If you'd like to read a summary of his research, go to http://uscnews.sc.edu/2008/05232008-PSYC186.html And, if you'd like to read his article in the Experimental Psychology journal, the link for that is at the end of the USC article.

I don't argue that a cell phone can be used safely by a driver, but the driver must increase his attention to his driving and recognize the additional risks when he divides his attention between driving and chatting away on a cell phone.

© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT

Ticket Gov. Corzine and His Driver

Much has been in the news about New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine and his failure to be buckled up when his N.J. State Police driver was involved in an accident while traveling at 91MPH in a 65MPH zone. According to the Associated Press, New Jersey law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts.

The AP now reports that New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner has commissioned an independent panel of experts to review the state police unit that drives and protects the governor. It is charged with developing guidelines for how the unit operates.

How many times in the past five years have I written to the Office of the Director of the Illinois State Police to ask this same question – are State Police troopers who drive the Illinois Governor expected to obey traffic laws?

I can’t answer that question, but I can tell you how many replies I’ve received – NONE. The absense of a reply means to me that Illinois troopers who drive the Governor may not obey traffic laws. Should they?

Of course, they should. And not only should, but must! If the governor says, “Step on it, Trooper. I’m late,” the trooper/driver must say, “Sorry, Governor. State law says I must not operate my vehicle unlawfully. You are asking me to break the speed limit, and I can’t and won’t do it.”

The only problem with that answer is that about eight hours later, the trooper will be working the midnight shift in Podunksville.

Gov. Corzine should have been ticketed immediately following the accident. His driver should have been ticketed for operating a motor vehicle with an unbuckled front seat passenger AND for the numerous other violations – speeding, improper use of emergency equipment, failure to avoid an accident. Do all these add up to Reckless Driving?

I have seen nothing in the news about any traffic charges against the driver. But that should not be too surprising. Right here in McHenry County, law enforcement officers cause accidents and do not get ticketed. And, around here, news of their accidents often doesn’t even make the newspapers. Is this right?