Should There be a Total Cell Phone Ban While Driving?

Many road accidents occur due to driving while using cell phone.  A lot of drivers are rationalizing that they can drive while talking on their phone using a hands free device.  Is it perfectly alright to drive while using a handsfree cell phone?

Can our brain do two things at the same time effectively?  When you are driving, you ought to be a defensive driver.  You have to anticipate a lot of possible accidents that are likely to happen while you are behind the steering wheel.  When we talk over the phone, we are also using our brain.  Talking on the phone brings forth mental images that conflict with the spatial processing needed for safe driving.  Eye-tracking studies show that while drivers continually look side to side, cellphone users tend to stare straight ahead. according to some experts too, drivers may also be distracted to the point that their engaged brains no longer process much of the information that falls on their retinas, which leads to slower reaction times and other driving problems.

It is better to be safe than to be sorry especially if people’s lives are at stake.  If you want your friends to get in touch with you anytime of the day, why not leave a voice recorder in your cell phone and just let them leave a message so that you can return their call once you get into your destination.  Do not put your life  and others’ in danger.  These communication gadgets are invented to ease our lives and not to make us more miserable.