I had the ultimate cell phone experience the other day; it was so North Dallas:

A lady in an Expedition nearly took the front end off my car as she pulled out of a parking lot chatting away on her cell phone. I did a double-take when I realized that the teenage girl sitting next to her was also talking on a cell phone! I couldn't help but wonder if they were talking to each other! And, if so, is this the only way to reach your teen? ;-)

Juli C.

As a commuter and field-service person, each day I witness many thoughtless, dangerous acts by motor vehicle operators. By far, the majority of the highway and byway blunders I observe do NOT involve cell phones. While I freely admit that mobile use of a cell phone by a self-absorbed, irresponsible person can be very risky, so are drinking hot coffee, shaving, applying makeup, attempting to spank kids in the back seat, driving with pets in your lap, smoking with the windows down, reading a road map, playing your "tunes" so loud that you can't hear trains or emergency vehicles, driving behind other cars with your high beams on, passing in the breakdown lane, arguing with your spouse and countless other inconsiderate behaviors. Unless you guys have the guts and the skills to take on and correct the selfish, irresponsible attitudes behind all of these behaviors, you'll only be jeopardizing the rights of responsible drivers--while effectively doing nothing to reduce the risks posed by the actions of irresponsible drivers.

If you guys are slipping so badly in the ratings that you have to resort to cheap shots that pose a severe economic threat to innocent people, then shame on you! If you're merely victims of your own arrogant myths about yourselves, then get real, and stick to the stuff you actually know something about: those mechanical maladies for which people seek your advice.

Warmly,

Dan Rhodes

A few months back I was walking (yes, walking!) the streets of my fair city when I stopped at an intersection. Seconds later the sound of screeching tires shattered the calm. As I glanced up, an Explorer with a woman driving, cell phone glued to her ear, rocketed through the red light as onlookers gasped. She didn't even slow down (driving or talking). I imagine her conversation: "Honey, that's a dozen eggs--whew, just about broadsided--and a quart of milk."

Ron Gordon

I think it is just a conspiracy against people with cell phones, similar to the one against people who drive SUVs. You are just jealous of people who talk on their car phones.

I think someone needs a soapbox and wants to gather attention and publicity for themselves.

Jim Fink Phoenix, AZ

I am from southern Louisiana, and until last week I thought I had seen everything possible when it comes to the things people do while driving.

I was hauling 2,500 pounds worth of engine and hydraulic lift in the bed of my truck and was nearly slammed from the rear by a woman, who I personally observed putting on eyeliner AND talking on her cell phone. Her careless driving forced me out of the lane I was currently in and into the oncoming-traffic lane (there were no cars coming), where, to my dismay, part of the hydraulic engine hoist was flung from the bed of my truck due to the swerving evasive actions I took to prevent an accident.

Matthew Pew

I strongly disagree with your assessment that I am an unsafe driver while using my cell phone. You don't even know me; how can you make that assessment?

I find it outrageous that you use your own limited capability as a measuring stick to judge others. Just because *you* are unable to safely walk and chew gum at the same time, you assume it is unsafe for *anyone* to do so. What ever happened to personal responsibility?

There are already laws on the books covering your issue, and there are even two gradations: careless driving and reckless driving. Why not apply these existing laws and prosecute people who are too irresponsible to accept their own limitations and not use a cell phone in a moving vehicle? This way, the idiots are punished--not all of us. Why are we always passing legislation to accommodate the least common denominator, the cretins and criminals, at the expense of freedom for the rest of us?

I wish you both success in everything except taking my cell phone away.

Chris Wolf

I caused a fender-bender accident while I tried to hang up a cell phone. Ever since then, I refuse to talk and drive. The phone is off while I am behind the wheel. I regret having had to learn the hard way (and having my auto insurance premium increase).

Kevin Smith

I appreciate your anti-cell-phone campaign. The other day I saw a man speeding along the streets of Philly with his cell in his right hand, and his left hand up his nose. I thought, There is a man who's too preoccupied.

Carl Griffin

The German state of Hessen has passed a law, to become effective in 2000, making it illegal to talk on a "handy" while driving the car.

In July, my family and I went on a short vacation of a week in Amsterdam, the Normandy area of France and Paris. Many drivers in Paris were driving while talking, which, when coupled with the number of cars on the streets, made it a challenge to get to our destination without being run over. I observed a driver in front of me apparently having a stroke, but he was just talking on the cellular phone and waving his arms as he gave hell to someone.

If you think the States are bad for cell phone usage, wait until you see Europe!!

Bob Pedigo

I have had two very close calls while using my cell phone.

The first one should have made me change my ways! Several years ago while driving my Honda Civic and using a cell phone at the same time, I went off the road and into a pothole. That "incident" cost me a new rim and tire. (My husband still doesn't know the truth.)

The second was less serious, but it could have been worse. I was again driving and trying to use a cell phone, but this time in my Subaru Outback. I looked at the keypad to dial and swerved into the curb on an off-ramp. The only damage was a slice out of the sidewall and heart palpitations. I went back to that same spot and can't for the life of me figure out how I avoided the guardrail attached to the curb.

I know driving and talking can be hazardous, and I have vowed never to do it again.

Chris Reed

I must strongly disagree with your (Warning: political label approaching!) typically liberal approach to have YET ANOTHER LAW passed restricting or controlling individual behavior. You both know, deep in your hearts, that all another law will do is build further resentment for authority, as well as turn even more of us into lawbreakers while providing yet another handy source of revenue for the states that choose to enact said legislation. I guess in a country that is staffed and run entirely by lawyers, this makes sense.

How about a real-world solution instead? How about developing a REAL driver's education program in the schools--one that deals with life on the road today? Driver education in this country is positively abysmal, with the same basic curriculum used in the 1950s and 1960s. Even in (often court-mandated) adult driver's ed. courses, there is a glaring lack of details surrounding correct procedures on the road, particularly as they apply to sharing the road with vehicles of varying sizes and weights, i.e., heavy trucks, campers (a hazard unto themselves) and motorcycles.

People need to learn how to drive. We don't need another law.

Phil d'Amore