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It’s a day we’re certainly going to see in the U.S. before long: THe Mobile Phone Day of Action. No, it won’t be a slew of cell phone users protesting that they want open networks and unlocked phones. That’d be too idealistic. Rather, it’s a term to describe the UK police and their crackdown on driving while talking on a handset. The practice has been banned or about a year overseas, and they’re now starting to get serious about it. You can figure it’s coming to the U.S. soon enough, because we’re now starting to see state after state ratify such laws, which force motorists to use a hands-free device while driving.

Then again, they say this is the fourth such crackdown, so it’s possible that we’ll see this in the U.S. before the year is out. Then again, it’s a bit tougher here, since talking-while-driving laws are made on the state level.

The fine over there is 60 pounds and three points. That’s $120 U.S., which seems like a realistic number. They’re about to enact a law in my parts that deems handsets illegal while behind the wheel, though I’m not sure what the fine will be. All I know that is in my town, they’ll be looking for it. I’m also not sure if points are involved, but I’m pretty sure it would be a two-point offense if any.

So let’s end with a quote on why this is important for the safety of everyone:

Ch Supt Mike McCormick is in charge of road accident casualty reduction at Acpos.

He said: “It defies comprehension. So many motorists still think that they can get away with it after all the public information, days of action campaigns and media stories.

“Divert your call, not your attention. If you take your eyes of the road or are distracted even for a split second due to using your mobile phone, it could result in disastrous consequences.”

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

[BBC News]

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