Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Clear and -4°C

>>more weather info

Half measure won’t make roads safer

February 08, 2010 16:02

A week into the newly enforced ban on using handheld devices, as many drivers seem to be distractedly talking on their cellphones as ever, although perhaps a few of them are being a little more discreet than usual.
Granted, there has been a huge increase in the use of Bluetooth devices since the new law was announced. Two years ago, the guy walking around the mall with a little “Star Trek” device stuck in his ear was marked as a self-important ass, but now it’s hard to tell the self-important asses from those just trying to obey the law.
Ironically, just a few days before the law came into effect, a U.S. study was released that showed no marked decline in the accident rate. The study by the Highway Loss Data Institute reviewed insurance claims in New York, Connecticut and California, and compared the data to areas that do not have cellphone bans.
Even though the laws were shown to have reduced handheld phone use while driving – and studies have purportedly shown that using handheld phones while driving significantly increases the risk of a crash – in the areas where bans were put in place, there was no significant reduction in crashes following said bans.
Experts suspect the reason is that drivers are resorting to using hands-free devices. And studies show the accident rate for those is the same as handheld. Yes, you read that correctly.
That’s why many are criticizing the province for the new Ontario law for not going far enough. If the government really wanted to save lives, it should have applied a total ban on all cellphone use while driving.
This halfway measure only encourages people to try to get away with it, making them even more dangerous as they try to hide their activity while placing a call or texting.

More Midland Mirror Articles

Burglars flee at sound of alarm
PENETANGUISHENE – Incident at local business still under investigation.

Stars so bright
MIDHURST – Starlab attraction available at Simcoe County Museum until end of March.

Vote on voucher system slated for March 22
MIDLAND – Council to choose between vouchers or return to heavy-garbage pickup.

Report makes case for higher parking fees and fines
MIDLAND – 'Ticket spitters’ being considered for lot at town dock.

Salvation Army answers town’s SOS
MIDLAND – Programs offered by Simcoe Outreach Services will continue.

Just add books
MIDLAND – Workers are putting the finishing on new addition to the Midland Public Library.

Premier must back reintroduction of Bill 32

MSS curlers set to make history
MIDLAND – School sending two rinks to Ontario championships.

Diabetes program opens in new location
MIDLAND – Assessment, education and support offered by family health team professionals.

Couple fearful nut allergy threatens daughter
MIDLAND – Midland Secondary School must do more to protect students, say parents.

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.