Cellphones are certainly convenient. However, they are something of a mixed blessing. Not only are they often annoying to the owner who is being pestered by unimportant calls but they are often annoying to others as well, not to mention dangerous.
As for the safety issue, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington, The Virgin Islands and District of Columbia have all banned the use of handheld cellphones while driving a car. If you happen to drive in any of those places, be aware. In most it is a primary offense, meaning you can get stopped just for using your phone. Seventeen states, including all of the above, have special restrictions for novice drivers.
If you are planning any worldwide travel over the summer, note that most ban driving while using a handheld cellphone. It is illegal in almost all of Europe, China, Australia, UK, Ireland and parts of India. In fact there is one town in India where you can be imprisoned for this violation.
A New York Senator proposed a bill to ban the use of cellphones while crossing the street. That never passed. However, NY public school students are not allowed to have cellphones in school. Companies such as Exxon Mobile ban employees from using a handheld cellphone while driving on company business.
The annoyance factor is a whole separate issue. A law was proposed in NY to ban cellphone use in restaurants. It was defeated. Apparently the restaurant owners objected, as would many of the patrons. In the US you can’t use a cellphone on an airplane; however, the European Union has recently allowed this as long as you are over 9,800 feet. In the Austrian city of Graz, commuters using public transit must keep phones in silent mode.
Overhearing one side of a conversation that you have no interest in is very annoying to some people. In restrooms, voices echo and no matter how quiet someone tries to be, everyone has to hear the conversation. Likewise on an airplane or a train the people seated around the talker are forced to listen. This results in everything from ignoring it, to being mildly irritated, to physical violence.
In his book, "New Tech, New Ties," Rich Ling debates the value of technology which allows this constant talk and the social rules that are being rewritten. We are learning to ignore and be ignored because someone is on the phone, often while interacting in-person with a third individual.
Denise McCluggage, a travel writer, has some strong opinions on when it is appropriate to use your phone in public. For places of worship she says, “Leave the phone at home, in the car or turn it off. God may call you, but it’s unlikely she will use Verizon.”
Reach the author at mpowell@a1teletronics.com.
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