Editorial

We are once again in the throws of an age-old conflict, between common sense and the reality that government considers itself obligated to act because too many people refuse to use the brains they have been given.

The provincial government is apparently planning to introduce legislation that would restrict people in the use of the cell phones or other electrical devices while they're driving. True, there's been no formal bill introduced as yet, mainly because the legislature at Queen's park is not in session. But MPPs will be back at work soon enough, and Transportation Minister Jim Bradley has been quoted in the media as saying legislation is coming in the fall. As one local MPP astutely observed, that "probably means he's got it drafted and ready to go."

Now common sense should tell us that driving is always safer when there are two hands on the steering wheel, preferably two hands belonging to the driver. It is pardonable to take one hand off the wheel for certain tasks, and answering a ringing cell phone could be seen as being along those lines. A brief conversation shouldn't be that distracting, and if it appears that it's going to be more involved, the driver need only tell the other party that he or she is driving and could they reconnect at a more convenient time. And if that doesn't work, the transportation authorities in this part of the world have seen fit to equip many of our roads with shoulders.

That's how we see common sense working. But if life were really that simple, we wouldn't need governments passing legislation telling us what we can and cannot do, nor would we need a news media to keep track of such things. Both institutions are in operation because too many people do stupid things, like trying to take notes over the phone while driving, sending or reading text messages or a whole host of other things that fall into the category of "should know better."

A lot of us might squawk a bit at the prospect of not being allowed to use out cell phones while driving, although one might hope there would be allowances granted or slack cut, such as realizing people might feel obliged to answer a ringing phone. Drivers are able, after all, to carry on conversations with passengers in their vehicles without raising heavy concerns about being distracted.

We can grant that excessive use of other electronic devices, like fussing about with a BlackBerry while driving could pose a greater distraction, and that is something that perhaps should be addressed.

But surely it has already been addressed. Are not police empowered now to press charges against motorists who drive without due care and attention? Does that not tend to render redundant any bill that Bradley might come up with?

It comes down to a reality that we have all had to deal with in our lives. Government perceives a problem and feels obliged to act. And some people do stupid things, which means more restrictions on us all.

And we're left to wonder if there's any point to it all.