driven to the right

Apparently I think like a republican.

I was quite shocked to learn that the cell phone ban in Oregon was a partisan issue. And even more shocked to realize I agree with the republicans.

I do not believe it should be a primary offense to talk on a cell phone while driving.

I've read about a lot of studies that show cell phones are distracting and can increase the likelihood of a crash by anywhere from 1.3% to 23% -- including a the recent one from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

The University of Utah released a study in 2008 that demonstrated evidence that cell phone users drive slower and pass less.

There is great debate on whether or not "hands-free" devices make the roads any safer and a general consensus that texting while driving is unsafe.

There are also many statements and studies indicated the number of accidents caused by cell phone use has increased with the adoption of cell phones. The Oregon Department of Transportation states that crashes caused by cell phone use in Oregon increased by 82% from 2004 to 2007.

And of course there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence and laboratory-based studies.

What I have yet to read is a study demonstrating that the overall number of crashes or traffic fatalities has increased with the prevalence of cell phones. In fact, everything I have read indicates that those two factors have remained relatively steady.

I believe and agree with every study cited above. I certainly agree that texting while a vehicle is in motion can increase likelihood of a crash and should be a primary offense. I do believe that drivers talking on their cell phones crash and that cell phones have been used during an increased number of crashes.

(Incidentally I also believe that if we asked 271 million American drivers to drive with pumpkins on their backseat the number of accidents "caused" by pumpkins would skyrocket.)

What I don't yet believe is that the cell phones are the primary cause of crashes. I believe bad driving is the cause of crashes. Take away the cell phone and bad driving is still going to cause crashes.

I also strongly disagree that cell phone use should ever be a primary traffic violation. It should be, as it is in many states (including Oregon until Jan. 1), a secondary offense. This means drivers can only be stopped for breaking primary traffic laws, but they can be penalized further if they are talking on the phone while driving unsafely.

I do however, reserve the right to change my mind on this issue.

As soon as a report is released indicating that the number of traffic collisions and traffic fatalities has increased since the advent of the cell phone, I will agree that they should be banned.

In the meantime if my opinion means I think like a republican, so be it.