Our governor here in California, a man by the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger, recently signed into law a ban on text-messaging while driving, effective Jan. 1 of next year. This certainly sounds like a good idea, as it’s hard to see where you’re going if you’re staring at a cellphone and punching the buttons.

In fact, it’s almost mind-boggling that motorists here can still hold a phone to text, but we can’t hold a phone to talk into it — a ban that went into effect several months ago. If you want to chat on the road, you need a headset or some other type of hands-free device.

Meanwhile, there are still millions of other distracting activities that our legislators will still need to outlaw for drivers: fiddling with the radio, eating a sandwich, reading the newspaper, shaving, putting on makeup, using a calculator, and so on.

Furthermore, studies have shown that talking on a cellphone with a hands-free device is no safer for drivers than talking while holding the phone. It still distracts your brain from the more important task at hand: driving.

Many states have instituted bans on school bus drivers using cellphones (whether hand-held or hands-free), which is good. But it’s important to put cellphone use into perspective as being just one the many distractions that they should avoid. The stakes are incredibly high when you’re carrying a busload of children.

Unfortunately, the children themselves can be a distraction if they act up, which children are known to do. That school bus drivers can stay focused and drive safely is a remarkable feat.

Until next time,

Tom

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Thomas McMahon

Executive Editor

SCHOOL BUS FLEET

(310) 533-2551

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