Two letter writers in last week's Mailbox expressed the (uninformed) opinion that talking or texting on a cellphone while driving is no more dangerous than talking with a passenger in your car. While this would seem to make sense, statistics show it is not true. The reason? People who study these things say a passenger in your car acts as a second pair of eyes and ears.
The passenger may even see potential danger before the driver does and scream "Watch out!" or "Brake!" The person on the other end of your phone call or text just blats on, oblivious to what's happening in your world at the moment. The caller cannot help you, and may distract you for the split second it takes to avoid tragedy.
Pull Over, Please
M. Berry
