Aspen, Colo.

Tuesday, November 30, 1999

Aspen, Colo., is considering a law that many communities might want on the books as Americans become increasingly dependent on technology and convenience.

Officials in that community are joining a few cities in Ohio and around the nation in prohibiting cell phone use on their roadways.

The reasoning behind the laws is simple – cell phones distract drivers and distracted drivers cause accidents.

Anyone who has ever driven behind someone on a cell phone knows that statement is true – especially when the conversation becomes intense.

Habitual highway cell phone users tend to weave, jerk their cars back over into their lanes and cut off oncoming cars simply because they are concentrating so much on their conversations that they are oblivious to the world around them.

And that is going to become even more of a problem as more people are able to afford cell phones – and they start using them.

Contrary to popular belief, cell phones are not meant to be a way to have a conversation while on the road – they are designed to be used for emergencies or for communication in a stopped car. Irresponsible use is dangerous not just for the driver, but the cars he or she encounters on the roadway as well.

Cell phone laws are a good way to encourage people to stop and think before they pick up their phones – and it is one inconvenience that might save a life.