To any driver, a cellular or mobile phone can be either a blessing or a curse. It’s hard to remember the days when we didn’t have 24/7 access to the rest of the world. Think back; when was the last time you passed an actual pay telephone booth? Memory fails right? Mobile phones have become as important as keys. Each and every time you leave the house or office you probably run through the departure check-list: Keys, money/credit cards, wallet/purse, cell phone. Check check check check? Then you’re good to go.

Cellular phones can be a real blessing. There’s no doubt of that when you’ve suffered a mishap on the highway and need to call for the auto service, or you’re stuck because the bridge is up and you’re going to miss your mother’s birthday party.

But they are also a curse. Using a cell phone while you’re driving (at any speed) means that you are not giving your full attention to a very important duty: Driving safely. But, you argue, you only use your cell phone through your Bluetooth. Oh. Well that makes a difference. Not. You’re deluding yourself if you believe that. You think that because you’ve got both your hands on the steering wheel, that you’re fine. Yeah, your hands are where they’re supposed to be, but where’s your head? It’s at the birthday party, it’s planning a stock merger, it’s trying to remember if you brought those pants to the dry cleaner or not. It is NOT on the road ahead, where it should be. There’s even a fancy name for it - Inattentional Blindness.

In a recent survey conducted by the Traffic Safety Institute, 83% of the 2,500+ people asked said that they felt cell phone usage while driving was a serious problem and that it was unacceptable to use a cell phone while driving BUT 46% of them admitted that they did and so were part of the problem. There is no evidence which supports the theory that using a hands free device decreases the risk of getting into an accident.

Stay safe. Stay off the phone.