When a person first decides to learn how to drive, they go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for their permit. Along with the permit, each driver is handed a copy of the driving manual for the state in which they'll receive their license. This book contains information about the traffic laws of the state as well as about the safe way to operate a car. We tend to learn the information and remember it only long enough to pass both the written and practical driving test. Once we have that license in our hands, we think we don't have to pay attention to the rules of safe driving.
      One rule of safe driving is to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Of course if you drive a car with a manual transmission, there will be times you have to use one hand to shift gears. Why don't we keep both hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road? It got hot and you have to put down the window. The radio station faded out and you have to find a different station. You can't remember of the name of the road where you have to turn so you glance at the directions you wrote on a piece of paper. The cell phone is ringing and the ring tone lets you know its your best friend so you have to answer the phone. You just remembered the message you were supposed to relay to your relative so you type out a quick text message.
      Many states have now passed laws against talking on a cell phone or texting while driving and with very good reason. Cell phones have become one of the top distractions leading to automobile accidents. While talking, people become so focused on the conversation they're not paying attention to their driving. Texting takes even more attention away from the road because, even if you don't have to look at the keypad, your mind is working on where the keys are and not on the road. Cell phones have voicemail so let the caller leave a message and wait until you can pull over before making a call. Sending and receiving text messages is just as bad as trying to read the newspaper while you drive.
      So you probably think you're fully capable of driving while using your cell phone. Practice makes perfect. The funny fact is that people who drink and drive say the same thing. Both categories of drivers are accidents looking for a place to happen. Various road safety organizations have conducted controlled testing and the results show that people talking on a cell phone get non-passing grades on driving tests. These low scores are exactly the same as for the same person driving under the influence of alcohol. The tests were administered by fully qualified driving instructors and testers.
     Still not convinced? The next time you're out for a drive and get behind someone who is swerving all over the road, look at what they're doing while they're driving. Many of these people are either looking for something, which happens to be the cell phone they put to their ear, or actually talking on the phone. You probably feel you don't fit that category. Fine. All it takes is one moment of inattention to lose control of your car. If that happens and you cause an accident in a state with laws against talking on the cell phone, you'll get more than a citation for the accident.