Cabdrivers' use of cellphones persistent, illegal

The widespread cellphone use among New York City cabdrivers despite the City's banning the practice is a case study in the difficulty of enforcing these sorts of bans, The New York Times reports.

This story comes as Congress takes its first steps in considering a national ban on the dangerous practice of using a cellphone while driving. If this measure comes to pass, the trouble New York is facing in enforcing its limited ban would presumably be faced by the rest of the country as well.

New York auto accident lawyers have been closely following the Times' ongoing series on the dangers of distracted driving. Recent highlights have included several shocking statistics - texting increases the risk of an accident by 2300 percent, talking on the phone, 400 percent - and some equally shocking anecdotes (e.g. "I know about all the dangers and I probably shouldn't text, but I do").

Above all the series has made it clear that without powerful legal deterrents drivers will continue to use their phones and other electronics, endangering themselves and those with whom they share the road. While many state legislatures have banned the practice the problem of enforcement is universal. As the Times indicates, even cabdrivers, whose very livelihood relies on satisfying passengers by providing safe transportation, are not affected by the mere presence of a ban.

The article indicates that responsibility for enforcement has fallen mostly to individual passengers. Though most cabdrivers do put away their cellphones when asked, New York auto accident lawyers recognize that this awkward transaction is far from an optimal solution.

Instead, police should undertake a new training regimen to help officers detect and ticket drivers using their phones inappropriately. These transgressions should be enforced as vigilantly as laws against drunk driving and serious moving violations. It would be good practice for a future where all drivers are held to this standard.

[The New York Times]