Some people think that laws restricting cell phone use are an invasion of privacy. Crashing into someone else's car is an invasion of privacy.
An article in today's Star Tribune had a story told by a woman who had her pickup truck crashed into, sending her spare tire flying across the highway. The other driver got out of her vehicle still talking on her cell phone to her father who was telling her to be careful because the roads were slippery.
Several months ago, I watched a driver talking on his cell phone and tailgating a box truck at one car length as the truck ran a red light. The talker wouldn't have had a chance if the truck driver had chosen to stop. At a minimum, the truck driver would have had to file a report with his employer if the talker had crashed into the truck.
On the other hand, many commercial vehicles have two-way radios, either CBs or private networks. Talking to other drivers or the dispatcher can be very distracting. When I was driving buses, the dispatcher always seemed to call to confirm a charter just as I was ready to turn a corner. Curbing two-way radio use will be very difficult.
