Good Law or Nanny State Provision?

Most of us encounter it on a daily basis. It usually comes in the form of someone cruising along at a cool 5 miles under the speed limit in the left lane. Or, it's the guy who comes to a complete stop in the middle of a travel lane prior to making his turn. And, let's not leave out the lady totally oblivious that a light just turned green. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to recognize the drivers that abruptly realize they need to change lanes but are too distracted to check their blind spot. Regardless of these annoying habits they engage in, all of these folks seem to share a common link while driving: they appear to have a cell phone permanently glued to their ear.

Now as much as these drivers irritate me, I vehemently opposed a law that bans cell phone use while driving. After all, many folks effectively operate their motor vehicles without allowing their conversation to become their primary focus. Instead, I wanted to see an effort targeted at those who impede the free flow of traffic.

When I first heard about the Maryland Senate passing their version of the cell phone ban, I naturally hated it. As I read into it more, I took some comfort in knowing it would only be considered a secondary offense. In other words, police could only cite a driver for violation of this law if a simultaneous infraction occurred. In many ways, I concur with this sentiment whereas I have zero patience for distracted drivers.

Still, I recall a time when failing to wear a seat belt only qualified as a secondary offense. Now, police stand in the middle of intersections targeting drivers in the annual "Click It Or Ticket" campaign. Nowadays, police departments even designate a period in spring known as the "Chiefs Challenge". Departments, barracks and even individual officers are recognized by the volume of revenue they raise. Oops, I mean the number of seat belt tickets they write.


While this compromise bill looks good on the surface, I suspect I know where it'll lead. In a couple of years, some "expert" will testify about how this insignificant law has led to safer roads in Maryland. In turn, gullible politicians from Montgomery, Prince Georges and Baltimore City will be awe struck into forcing their idiocy onto the rest of us.