Logical Arguments for and Against Laws Against Using Cell Phones While Driving

With more and more people using cellular phones, a new debate has surfaced.   Should there be laws against using cell phones while driving?   The statistics about distracted driving, which includes any type of distraction, show that distracted driving causes accidents.   According to the United States Department of Transportation, 5,747 people were killed because of driving distractions and approximately 448,000 were injured in 2009 alone   (1)   Using a cell phone is just another way that driver are distracted.   The debate rages on…should there be a specific law against using cell phones while driving.   Some states are passing laws specifically for inexperienced drivers, just as they restrict the times inexperienced drivers are allowed to drive. For our purposed, however, we will look at the debate over whether or not there should be a law banning general cell phone usage.   This is a very sensitive subject, mostly because both sides present some logical arguments, but a variety of fallacies can be found on both sides of this hot issue.
This entire debate is nothing new.   Distracted driving has been a hot topic since 1905, and there were no cell phones back then.   The big advancement in technology then was windshield wiper blades.   They were thought to be hypnotic, and distract drivers. (AAA).   From there it went to the radio in the 1930’s.   Here in the 21st century, we’ve landed on cellular phones.   Same debate, different details.
When it comes to hands free cell phone usage while driving, both sides have scientific studies and statistics to back up their cases.   According to a study funded by AAA Foundation for Traffic safety, using a hands free device holds approximately the same distraction as tuning the radio (AAA).   However, there are also reports that having a conversation while driving with a hands free device is much more risky than having a conversation with somebody who is also in the car with you   (Dewar 327).
A recent study showed that only 2% of... [continues]

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