Letter: Ban all cell phone use by drivers

Another attempt to institute an unenforceable law to again avoid dealing with the problems associated with motorists using cell phones by the lack-of-courage Utah Legislature. There is no larger responsibility facing motorists than driving distracted. Why we are so casual about driving eludes me.

As a young law enforcement officer long ago, we were alerted to motorists who were going slow and wandering along the roadway. There was a good possibility that the driver was drunk. Nowadays, it appears that the driver is on a cell phone.

I cannot tell you how many times I have had to honk my horn to get someone moving at a stop light or have to backup at a driveway because a one-handed driver on a cell phone could not negotiate the turn while entering.

Nothing short of an absolute prohibition about cell phone use while driving will eliminate the problems associated with the use of cell phones while driving. Let's hope that future Legislatures will have the backbone to deal with this issue.

Harry W. Patrick

Salt Lake City