Journal #3 Due Date Jan. 31 2010

The article that I read was based around the usage of cell phones while driving. In the article it stated that the new ban on cell phone usage while driving has not dropped the rates of accidents in the three states including the capital. The article feature a personnel of the Highway Loss Data Institute who basically stated that the only thing the " ban" did was reduce the use of hand held devices; which leaves the use of hand free devices. The accident rates where compare to those in states that did not have the cell phone ban and the accident was about the same. The personnels of the Highway Loss Data Institute are trying to figure out the reasons the rate didn't not decrease after the ban was put in place; who then came to a conclusion that even a hands free cell poses the same risk. As of Tuesday February 2, 2010 no commercial drivers are to text while operating a vehicle, another way to reduce the distraction of drivers. In conclusion the article was about the ban of hand held cell phones while driving and the little impact it has had on accident rates.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/29/cellphone.study/index.html

I feel as though the article was very effective, I also feel as though the ban on hand held devices was in a way also. Although the rate of accidents didnt decrease in those states mentioned in the article, the rates did not increase either. No one really will know if every citizen in the states have a hand held device or if they are still using a cell phone. Really.... think about it how many people have you seen driving with a cell phone to their ear today alone? Maybe if all citizen that have a license had to check with their local DMV to make sure that they had an hand free device then maybe the accident rates will decrease and maybe they wont. Not everyone can be accounted for, so until then the accident rates will more than likely remain the same.
I was kind of curious of how North Carolina did in the whole ban thing and I couldnt find anything, if your more successful Im interested in knowing.