Tthe P.E.I. government is apparently ready to reintroduce legislation calling for a ban on talking and texting on hand-held cellphones while driving. It's about time. Several other provinces have already taken action.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia already have bans in place, and Ontario's ban becomes effective next month. Saskatchewan also plans to introduce legislation this fall.
Prince Edward Island has been slow to make progress on this file. A legislative committee studied the issue last year and gleaned public input, but in the end didn't recommend a ban. Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron MacKinley, who originally was opposed to a ban, changed his view on the matter last year and said he believed most Islanders would support a ban. At the time he asked staff to prepare legislation for the fall session.
Well, that session is just around the corner. The house is scheduled to open in November, and government has announced it will, in fact, reintroduce legislation to prohibit talking or texting on hand-held cellphones while driving.
Mr. MacKinley says he hopes it passes. So do we. There appears to be enough evidence, anecdotal and otherwise, to demonstrate the hazards of using a cellphone while driving. Certainly many police agencies are calling for restrictions on the practice, and this has prompted other provinces to bring in legislation.
As our lives and workplaces become more hectic, we tend to multi-task as a means of coping. The temptation to catch up on phonecalls while we're in transit can be irresistible, and judging from the number of motorists who can be seen sifting through traffic, phones clamped to their ears, many routinely succumb.
But there's no place for multi-tasking when we're driving. Our eyes should be on the road, our hands on the wheel and our minds on the pattern and flow of traffic. Public education attempts to discourage motorists from using their cellphones while driving obviously haven't worked. It's time to lay down the law. The sooner the province can introduce legislation, the sooner it can be passed and brought into law. Let's just get it done. Motorists who like their phones may grumble at first, but surely they will adjust.
If the phone rings, we can take a message. Who knows? We may well be averting an accident and even saving a life.
Cracking down on cellphone use and driving
- Published on September 18th, 2009
- Published on June 20th, 2010
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Staff ~ The Guardian
It's time that the province imposed a ban on cellphone use while driving.
Tthe P.E.I. government is apparently ready to reintroduce legislation calling for a ban on talking and texting on hand-held cellphones while driving. It's about time. Several other provinces have already taken action.
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Comments
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- Cory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:30:23
With the amout of hands free devices available to the public, this issue shouldn't even be an issue.I can sum this up in one word...Bluetooth!!!!
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- TO CJ
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:27:33
You'd be wrong! I'm a person who is sick and tired of Government using Bans as a means of correcting their perceived ills of our society! There are other means to reach the same goals!
Bans in my mind should be something one might experience living under a Dictatorship! It's becoming too common place as a solution in our Society! If it continues we continue to let it happen we will have no individual rights. If you want Government to control your lives this is the first step. The more decisions they make for us the more power they inherit!
I just wish citizens would wake up and realize that Banning is not the answer to curtail or extinguish the acts of a minority of citizens! In fact it may soon be seen as generator of Riots! We're not living in Sudan we're supposed to have a Democratic Society! Democratic and Bans do not co-exist!
TO Steve: Last I checked the Choice of Reading comments or Listening to others was still an individual choice. So the solution would be if you don't enjoy the content dont' read it. If you don't enjoy the language don't listen. At least we still have that Privilidge as tax paying citizens! Be Thankful! -
- Ban alot
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:13:39
Ban cell phones, drinking hot coffee, loud music, a full car, seniors on all type of medications that drive, and anything else that will cause problems while driving.
I am all for no cell phone use when operating a motor vehicle, but it all has to go not just one of dangerous habits. -
- Oh Another Ban
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:12:33
Ban This - GOVERMENT SPENDING !
When are you going to ban Eating? Sleeping? Working? Playing?
If we wanted a Dictatorship we'd move to Iran or North Korea! Why doesn't Goevernment do something Novel Like Help Struggling Islanders that can't make ends meet! I'm sure 13 Mil would have gone along way in helping jobless Islanders and those on Minimum Wage! -
- childish
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:09:54
idiots writes one person
Idiotic writes another
and teeny boppers , multi-tasking morons
Again we start off on the wrong foot in attempting to promote the banning of something. Name-calling ? Is that how Islanders work with others in our society ? Yes. Unfortunately that is exactly how many of us tend to try getting a point across. Maybe we all need those anti-bullying sessions -
- Steve
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:04:55
You know something, I'm sooo tired of reading these comments and hearing nothing but acerbic, negative rantings, from marginal personalities who just want to make life miserable for everyone, like it must be for them. What could possibly be wrong with banning this irresponsible behavior, by idiotic teenyboppers and the look at me I'm multitasking morons.
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- Bobby
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:16
I am not for the idea of banning cell phone use but not apposed to it either,I would like the province to bring into consideration that 90% of business men/women that creates work on Prince Edward Island use a cell phone in there daily operation of business,those people and truck drivers holding a class 1-3 A license,should be aloud to keep using there cell phones,as for teenagers that's were I have a problem with cell phone use on the road,I couldn't even count the number of times on all my fingers and toes the amount of times a teen talking on the phone doing well over the speed limit has passed me in ether my own vehicle or a tractor trailer I was driving with just inches to spare.So i guess what I'm saying is that not all of us should have to pay the price for others stupidity on the road.
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- CJ
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:13
To Oh Another Ban Novel Idea! Let me guess, you are one of those idiots who drive while yakking on your cell, thinking you are the king of the road. I am sick of narrowing escaping being rammed into by you idiots. I can't wait for the ban to come into effect.
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- we already have
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:01
The law is due care and attention, why can't police use that existing law to fine people ?
