Bad idea: Ban cell phones in cars

A few readers took the time to write me and say they thought I was all wet in my July 4th weekend newspaper column in which I took to task the new California law that bans cell phone use while driving.

It was a light look at a bad law. You can read the column at lvrj.com/columnists/Sherman_Frederick.html.

Reader Mike Tobey's note below is indicative of the e-mail I've received:

"As I've responded in the past to your column's, we agree 90+ % of the time but yesterday's column definitely falls in the 10% category! My take from your conclusion is that 2 (5) wrongs make a right and I couldn't disagree more. Following someone on a handheld cell phone is very scary and even though I disagree with almost everything California does I applaud their new law. Also wouldn't be opposed to banning eating, applying make-up, looking at maps or anything else that distracts from the drivers attention. Finally we think everyone needs to have a reminder course from drivers-ed about what cars are for, driving and paying attention to what you are doing behind the wheel."

Mike's note is well-reasoned and, as I told him, it's this kind of discussion that make the great experiment called America go around. But, of course, I'm right on this. Cell phones are not the problem, it's the drivers.