Monday, June 25, 2007

An Interesting Dichotomy

Statistics show driving on the phone is as dangerous to others as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Driving unbuckled is dangerous only to oneself.

Driving on the phone is perfectly legal.

Driving unbuckled is a crime.

If we are coerced to buckle up for our precious safety as advertised, then why are we not protected from cell phone users as we are from drunk drivers?

Could it be in the land of the free and the home of the brave that we are granted what liberties benefit the telecommunications giants and denied those painful to the insurance industry?

The liquor industry probably approves of drunk driving prohibition as it doesn't likely diminish the amount of their product purchased and it preserves the lives of their customers. So they do not fight it. This viewpoint might work for the phone companies but consumption of minutes would be down too drastically to allow making the roads safer.

I would like to hear this explained by a lawmaker.