My heart breaks for Michael Lindsay-Calkins, whose wife and son were killed last week at a railroad crossing in Efland. The News & Observer reports the Highway Patrol is saying the mom, Erin, was talking on her phone when she drove into the path of the train.
It’s just an awful, heartbreaking story.
However, it doesn’t mean that cell phone use should be banned. From the N&O:
Recent studies have focused on cell phone use as a significant highway safety problem. One survey by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center found that nearly 60 percent of licensed adult drivers in North Carolina had used their phones while driving.
The General Assembly has outlawed cell phone use for school bus drivers and for all drivers under age 18. A state law that took effect Dec. 1 bans all drivers from using cell phones to send or receive e-mail and text messages. Several legislators have called in recent years for a ban on all cell phone use while driving.
We don’t need a study to tell us that getting distracted while driving can be dangerous. But so can a lot of other everyday activities.
What about children? I routinely see people doing a “Linda Blair” head spin as they mess with kids in the back seat while driving 70 miles an hour down I-40. Should we ban kids from cars? No. I change lanes and stay well ahead of them.
What about pets?
What about talking to the person in the passenger seat?
What about listening to the radio?
What about lipstick?
What about drinking coffee?
What about eating a Big Mac?
What about reading paperwork?
What about looking at a map or messing with the GPS?
The list of distractions that can become dangerous is endless. Life is full of risks and we can’t legislate them away. Most importantly right now, we should pray for Michael Lindsay-Calkins and his family.
