Dear Editor:
I applaud Governor McGreevey’s announcement on Monday, September 9, that it is time for New Jersey to ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones when driving their cars. This is a goal that deserves our support.
In April 2001, I introduced legislation in the United State Senate that demands that each state ban the use of hand-held cell phones or risk losing a portion of their federal highway funds. Although the bill remains in committee, it is clear to me that there is significant momentum towards reaching our goal of banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Here in New Jersey, the communities of Marlboro, Carteret and Nutley have led the way. And,, of course, New York, our nearby neighbor, acted more than a year ago to ban driving and hand-held cell phone use. We in New Jersey should be likewise.
Research into this crucial safety issue has shown for several years now that cell phone use distracts drivers and increases the chance for serious and deadly accidents. In 1997, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a University of Toronto study that found that the use of hand-held cell phones while driving quadruples the chance of an accident.
A year ago, researchers at the University of Utah reported that talking on a cellular phone while driving slows a driver’s response time. The report, conducted for the National Safety Council, found that cell phone use slowed response times for braking and stopping.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that as many as 500,000 drivers at anyone moment could be using a cell phone while driving.
The people of New Jersey are aware of this research and support banning hand-held cell phone use while driving. Last March, a Quinnipiac University survey of New Jerseyans found 85 percent supported a ban. In addition, people who own cell phones shared the same opinion by nearly the same percentage.
This is an issue of safety and basic common sense. Keep both hands on the wheel! Using a cell phone while driving is distracting and dangerous. It’s time to hang up the phone!
Jon S. Corzine
United States Senator
New Jersey