Dear Tom and Ray:

My 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Morgan Lee, was killed as a result of an auto accident that occurred on Nov. 2, 1999. My vehicle was hit broadside by a man who admitted that he did not stop at the stop sign because he was distracted while dialing his cellular phone. Cause of death -- blunt head trauma. He ran into the rear passenger door at 45 mph, right where Morgan was sitting. He received a total of $50 in fines. I need to speak out on this issue. I cannot live with what happened to my daughter. I was not aware prior to the accident just how dangerous the roads have become with the saturation of cell phones. I now know. I've discovered some outrageous statistics. I am now just putting myself out there in the hopes of creating public awareness. I am working with my local senator to get pending legislation through. Please tell people what they can do to help me fight for my daughter. Thank you. -- Patti Pena

Tom: Jeez, Patti. What a tragedy. Morgan Lee is gone, and your life will never be the same. Nor will the life of the poor jerk who hit you. He was probably just checking his voice mail, saying hello to HIS kid or doing something he could have easily waited until later to do. And now he's got to live with the knowledge that he killed a 2-year-old child. It's tragic all around.

Ray: And it's so obvious that it's wrong to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Yet most of us are so selfish that we'd rather endanger the lives of innocent people than wait 20 minutes to return a phone call.

Tom: There are several things people can do to help prevent more kids from getting killed. First, you can stop talking on the phone while you're driving. Start by changing your own behavior. If you want to carry a phone in case of emergency, that's great. But for non-emergencies, like "saying hi," "checking in" or making calls you could just as easily make from your home, your office or a parking lot, take our advice and "Drive Now, Talk Later."

Ray: Another thing you can do is help raise the consciousness of those around you. We are offering free bumper stickers that say "Drive Now, Talk Later." Just send a SASE (make sure it's "SA'd" and "S'd") to Bumper Sticker, Car Talk Plaza, Box 3500, Cambridge, MA 02238. Allow a few weeks for our lackeys to catch up on their envelope stuffing.

Tom: And finally, you can write, phone and otherwise express your support for legislation that restricts the use of cell phones while driving. It's very much an uphill fight, because the cell-phone industry is huge and powerful, and it is spending tons of money to make sure nobody gets in its way. Plus, virtually every self-important politician drives around talking on, what? A cell phone. So it won't be easy.

Ray: But eventually, some politician's 2 1/2-year-old daughter will be killed by a driver distracted on his or her cell phone. And then your letters will get us over the top.

Tom: Again, our condolences, Patti. And we hope you'll see every letter that gets written as a result of this column as an act of kindness in memory of Morgan Lee. And don't give up, because you're absolutely right to fight this stupidity. And in their hearts, even the politicians and cell-phone executives know it.

To buy or not to buy -- options, that is. Are options worth what you pay for them, or are you better off just going with the basics? Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" to find out. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 2000 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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