Rules, rules, and more rules; what’s so important about having them? Safer driving, that’s what.

With the new law about using a cell phone while driving in Erie, it’s guaranteed there will be much safer driving, providing the fact that people will actually abide by this law.

Residents of the city of Erie are no longer permitted to use hand-held cell phones when driving. This law was a much needed one for the safety of all drivers in Erie. Drivers who use cell phones aren’t only putting themselves and everyone in their car in danger, but also those around them in other vehicles.

I know I’m glad this law was finally passed. There have been countless times when I’ve seen a driver make a foolish move on the road only to find out that they’re too wrapped up in their cell phone conversation to pay attention to what’s really important- the road!

Using a cell phone while driving is like wanting to get into an accident: stupid and completely unsafe. More drivers have been injured and killed in accidents when using their cell phones as opposed to alcohol induced accidents.

It doesn’t take that long for an accident to happen, and one wrong move could be your last. Drivers should be paying attention to the road, not listening to their friend gossip about the latest scandal on Big Brother.

If the call is truly that important, drivers can pull off to the side of the road. If drivers are in too much of a hurry to talk, then just don’t answer the phone.

On the bright side, drivers are permitted to use hands-free devices, as long as there is no need for dialing or pressing buttons of any sort.

Also, police officers are going to be lenient for the first few months of the new law. After that, fines will be made for each offense ranging from $150-$300. Is that phone call really worth that much money?     

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to keep my cell phone bill the way it is.