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Published on Saturday, July 13, 2002
in the East Manatee Herald
EAST MANATEE - Judith Tippett says she has seen too many drivers weaving in and out of lanes, slamming on the brakes at traffic lights and balancing cell phones on their shoulders.
That's why on Friday Tippett was one of about 300 people who came to the Florida Highway Patrol station on State Road 70 to get a free headset so she can talk on her cell phone hands-free.
"I'm a safe driver, and I think anything you can do to be a safer driver is great," Tippett said.
Verizon Wireless donated 10,000 of the headsets to the state through the highway patrol. Valued at about $10 each, the headsets plug in to most cell phones either directly or with the use of a relatively inexpensive adapter available at most electronics retailers, according to Verizon Wireless spokesman Ed Gilhuly.
"In addition to safety, there's a convenience factor of not having to fiddle with the phone," Gilhuly said. "I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to use one."
Tippett said she thinks driving and talking on the phone can be so dangerous that state legislators would be smart to enact a statewide ban on motorists using cell phones without a hands-free device.
And Florida legislators recently agreed that any cell phone bans should be statewide.
"State legislators decided local municipalities can't make their own laws about it, because they don't want a mish-mash of laws around the state," Gilhuly said.
In September 2001, the Miami-Dade County Commission passed an ordinance that bans drivers from using cell phones while driving unless using a hands-free device. That law, if not grandfathered in, would be nullified by the recent state action, Gilhuly said.
Palmetto resident Don Barr said he's come to rely on his cell phone more than his home phone. And when he's driving and gets a call, his wife is usually there to grab the phone from his waistband and take the call safely.
"I don't believe in that driving down the road and talking on the phone," Barr said. "Getting one of these is going to make it a lot safer."
Barr also said he would support a statewide ban on drivers using cell phone without a hands-free helper.
In recent years, momentum has been building across the country on all levels of government for a ban on the use of cellular phones while behind the wheel. At least a dozen municipalities and the state of New York have made cell phone use in a moving vehicle a crime, and other cities and states are considering prohibitions.
A survey released in July 2001 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that at any given moment during weekdays, at least 500,000 drivers are talking simultaneously on cell phones, and that rate nearly doubles during non-rush hour drives.
State Rep. Mike Bennett said the solution lies more in improved driver education and awareness than a statewide ban.
"The problem with the hands-free cell phones is they still have to dial with their hands, so how much are you really doing?" Bennett said. "I really think it's a bit of a feel-good measure."
"When they're talking on the phone, I'm sure at that point and time it's certainly much safer, but how much bang are you getting for your buck?" Bennett said. "I learned a long time ago you can't legislate stupidity."
Local troopers agree that teaching better driving habits can go a long way.
"Education and public awareness can make all the difference in the world," FHP Lt. Mike Rushing said.
And a little piece of plastic and wiring can help tremendously too.
"It can allow you to keep both hands on the wheel instead of one on the wheel and one on the phone," Rushing said.