Personal Injury Law

Cell Phones: Iowa Proposes Cell Phone Legislation

By Megan Roth

...do wireless headsets and other hands-free devices really present a decreased risk? Research points to "No." Studies have also indicated that, regardless of age or experience, all drivers demonstrate decreased capabilities when talking on a cell phone.

The correlations that exist between drinking and driving and cell phone use and driving has helped several states realize that banning cell phones while driving is a key issue that must be addressed when dealing with driver distraction. Now Iowa is following the trend.

The Statehouse is currently considering legislation that will ban all Iowa drivers -teenagers and adults alike - from using cell phones behind the wheel.

Though the issue is still under consideration, driver's are already concerned with how severe the restrictions will be. Many wonder whether all cell phone usage will be banned while driving, or whether Bluetooth and other hands-free devices will be permitted.

Should they be? If it's the distraction that's presented and not the actual cell phone that causes the problem, do wireless headsets and other hands-free devices really present a decreased risk?

Research points to "No." Simply freeing-up hands does not decrease the risk of an accident because the brain struggles to look and listen at the same time, regardless of what it's looking at or listening to.

Studies have also indicated that, regardless of age or experience, all drivers demonstrate decreased capabilities when talking on a cell phone. This raises the issue of whether or not a cell-phone ban should apply to teenagers only or to all drivers.

In February, 2008, the Des Moines Register published an article about Iowa's proposed legislation; as we were reading through the online responses to the article, we came across a post stating: "...living is a risk...if we are that concerned about safety we need to go back to using walking and using horses for transportation...accidents happened before cell phones and will continue to happen if this law passes..."

We disagree. We recommend we go back to the days of common sense and good judgment; user itsmetoo092774 is right: accidents will still happen. But if passing this legislation has the potential to decrease the number of accidents simply by requiring that we flip our phone shut when driving, that's a risk we're willing to take.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on April 13, 2008 (boomark / email).