LEONARD GRAY

Wireles debate continues in cars The communications revolution must certainly be one of the greatest innovations of the 21st Century. Wireless communication, once upon a time confined to ham radio and walkie-talkies, has exploded across the world. Some people are even predicting the end of residential telephones, as more and more people are carrying around their personal phone. Already, pay phones are becoming rare. Already, working and unvandalized pay phones are increasingly rare – never mind one which actually has a complete and whole telephone directory. In New York, the state legislature approved a law banning drivers from handheld portable phone use while driving. Guilty as charged, here! Two of my biggest asset as a newspaper reporter are my pager and my cellular phone. Time wasted driving can now be reclaimed, as people can return my messages, and I can reach out and touch someone. The New York law, though, is aiming to prevent people from reaching out and touching (and ramming) other vehicles while distracted by their phone use. This is good, since there are many people (myself included) who are totally addicted to their phones. So far, I haven’t had an accident caused by my phone. However, I fear that’s just a matter of time, unless I take action. Not using the phone is not a consideration, so I’m looking at a hands-free system, where I don’t have to crook my phone at my neck to hold it or glance up and down while dialing. Technology is also helping, with new phones requiring only that one speak the name of the person you are trying to reach to activate the dialing. Unfortunately, that little feature won’t help me much, since there are so many people I call. The other thing about my phone use is that I’m forever trying to take notes as well as talk on the phone while driving. Lately, I’m finally showing good sense and pulling OFF the road to talk and take notes. Recently, I was riding along with a St. John Parish deputy and we noticed someone pulled off to the shoulder. The deputy checked it out and returned moments later, laughing. He explained it was just someone who had done just that – pulled off the road to make a phone call, as a good citizen should. AAA statistics also show a driver is 10 times more likely to get in an accident while tuning his radio than using his cell phone. Then, talk about distractions from passengers, especially children. At least, I’m not also checking my e-mail while driving. That’s a whole nother column, folks. Stay tuned. LEONARD GRAY is assistant managing editor of L’Observateur.