The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: News

Media Credit: AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth Many Americans are driving while using the phone.

As of October 1, 2005 if you are caught talking on a cell phone, while driving in Connecticut, you are going to pay, literally.

The law that was passed this summer requiring hands free devices for the use of cell phones while driving goes in to effect this weekend, and if you are caught without your hands free you'll be slapped with a $100 fine.

Connecticut is the third state, following New York and New Jersey, to institute a hands free cell phone law. The law is supposed to encourage safer driving, but will it make a difference?

"I don't think so," said Michael Correia, Senior, Fairlawn, N.J. "They passed a similar law in New Jersey a couple of years ago and I still see people on their phones all the time, and I don't know anyone who has been fined."

Connecticut's $100 fine does not seem like much compared to the hefty $250 in New Jersey, and up to $500 in New York. However, in Connecticut if an officer feels that unsafe driving is a result of cell phone use the law allows them to tack on an additional $100 for each moving violation they witnessed.

The law also forbids any kind of cell phone use, even hands free, for drivers under the age of 18 and school bus drivers.

There are two exceptions to the law. If a driver is in an emergency situation the fine will be negated. Also, if a first time offender can show proof of a hands free device after receiving the ticket the fine will be suspended.

"I don't think the law makes sense," said Brandon Ely, Senior, Rocky Point, N.Y. "I think talking on your cell phone is a distraction even if you are using an earpiece."

Drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident while using a cell phone. An all out ban on use while driving would be ideal, but people are too dependent on their cell phones and it is truly unrealistic.

Does wearing an earpiece really make a difference when someone is immersed in a conversation while driving? Their attention is still not fully focused on the road.

There are a lot of distractions on the road and drivers need to stay alert, but some times the use of a cell phone is necessary.

"I've seen people do worse things [than talk on their phone]," said Rob Kirsch, Senior, Bergenfield, N.J., "like putting on makeup in the rear view mirror or eating a sandwich with both hands, I've even seen people reading the paper."

There are all kinds of ways a driver can become distracted. Many vehicles now come equipped with state of the art touch screen GPS navigation systems that a driver must look away from the road to see. Even changing the radio station can cause a driver to pay less attention to the road.

With wireless technology on the rise there are more and more things that people can do while on the go, Connecticut wants to make sure people know that paying attention to the road is more important than a phone call. So if you want to keep your cash in your wallet, keep your hands on the wheel.

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