We've all seen it: a distracted, erratic driver who nearly causes an accident while he's using a cell phone, eating, or reaching for something in his vehicle.
According to the most comprehensive study to date, driver inattention is involved in nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes. Drowsiness is a significant problem, but so are cell phones — the most common distraction for drivers.
Because of that, we support the state's new law against driving while using a hand-held cell phone, effective July 1.
There's been a fair amount of carping about the law — in part because it doesn't address other in-car distractions.
But on a practical level, it'd be impossible — and probably unconstitutional — to pass laws against any activity that distracts a driver. Sometimes it also could be counterproductive, since activities such as eating, drinking or listening to a radio also can help ward off drowsiness.
Although research is mixed about cell phone use and driving, there's clarity on some issues that justify this law as a good piece of legislation. A large part of cell phone users' distraction is from the conversation itself, a fact that also is present in hands-free use. As a result, researchers say cell phones are a "cognitive distraction" which affects response time — an issue that's potentially more hazardous when the phone is occupying a hand that should be on the steering wheel. In addition, cell phone use often involves a more extended period of time than short-duration distractions such as eating or drinking, as well as being more mentally distracting.
"The mind is a powerful thing and a focused call can put you in a different place — and not necessarily behind the wheel of your car," said one editorial board member, who drives extensively and has a completely hands-free cell phone setup.
For safety's sake, the best thing for a driver to do with a cell phone is to turn it off, or possibly let a passenger handle all calls.
Even more hazardous, of course, is text-messaging on cell phones — an activity that has been illegal in Washington state since Jan. 1. In a 2006 study, young drivers using a driving simulator had a 400 percent increase in the amount of time spent looking away from the road while texting.
In some states, intermediate licenses for young drivers prohibit them from using cell phones while driving when they're under 18. That's something that should be seriously considered by our Legislature, since younger drivers use cell phones more, and also have higher accident rates.
Although nothing can keep drivers from self-chosen distractions, this law should be a good reminder that they're often hazardous and — with good reason — sometimes illegal. Likewise, it reinforces the need to drive defensively, since there's no way of knowing when a nearby driver may get perilously occupied with a cell phone conversation or any number of other distractions.
We hope this law will succeed in reducing accidents caused by hand-held cell phone users. And for us all, it's a good wake-up call.
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