Ramblings on a Beautiful Fall Day
On October 1st, Marylanders woke up to a new law governing the way they use their cell phones while driving. Starting that day drivers were required to use a hands-free device or risk being ticketed (as a secondary offense) for holding and using a cell phone in the operation of a motor vehicle.
When the late, and in my opinion great, Delegate John Arnick first proposed restrictions on car phones over a decade ago he was practically laughed out of the General Assembly. What a difference a few years make. His colleague and friend State Senator Norman Stone crafted the hands-free bill in John’s memory and tenaciously passed it out of the Senate by a one (1) vote margin. From there Chairwoman Maggie McIntosh and Subcommittee Chair Jim Malone did the rest. In short, they did their job now it’s our turn.
So how are we doing? By random observation there are a lot of people who have not gotten the word or have chosen to ignore the new law. They will. As enforcement ramps up and violators complain to family and friends’ word will get out to put down the phone.
I imagine some folks are grumbling that this is one more example of the heavy hand of government infringing on personal freedoms. Sorry, but the last time I read the Bill of Rights I didn’t see the right to hold a phone, talk and navigate I-95 with one hand.
Moving on to other matters, we have some good news and some bad news.
First, the good news; traffic deaths fell again in Maryland during 2009. Maryland’s death toll fell by 7.6% and is the lowest since the 1950’s. Now the bad news; even though alcohol-related fatalities dropped 7.4% nationwide, Maryland saw a 12% jump in driving deaths attributable to booze. That, ladies and gentlemen, is unacceptable.
Finally, greater Baltimore area roads have been designated the 10th worse in the country and costs the average driver $603 annually in auto repairs. According to the national transportation group, TRIP, 46% of Baltimore area roads were in dire need of repair. No other metropolitan area of the state was in the top (bottom) 20.
Good roads and highways are extremely critical to safe driving. It’s incumbent upon our political leaders and businesses to find a way to fix our driving infrastructure. Safe driving starts with safe roads.