[K/H_Addict]

So in Government, we have started mock congress (exactly that; you mock congress). We were divided into committees, and each committee wrote up a bill, and each committee member wrote a speech defending or attacking their bill trying to convince other "senators" to pass or not pass their bill. My committee is last out of 11 groups of 5-6 to go, so i've got a few more weeks before i have to deliver my speech. I was curious if those here could give some criticism and/or opinions on the bill and speech.


BILL:

Senate Bill #S5

Title: Ban of Mobile Devices for all Drivers
Patron: Committee Chair *name removed*

Be it encated by the United States that no person shall use a mobile device while driving a vehicle in motion.

Article I. No person shall engage in conversation on a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.

Section 1: This includes hand-held devices.

Section 2: This includes hands-free devices.

Article II. No person shall engage in other unauthorized functions of the mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.

Section 1: This includes text messaging, playing games, instant messaging, browsing the internet, taking pictures, recording video/music, listening to music, and browsing other phone functions.

Section 2: This includes diverting attention to the mobile device without using any of its operations.

Article III. Violations by the operator of the motor vehicle shall be punishable by a consequence.

Section 1: First Offense: $75.00 fine.

Section 2: Second Offense: $75.00 fine and completion of a driving class.

Section 3: Third Offense: Restricted license to be determined by a sitting judge.

Section 4: Fourth and subsequent offenses: Suspension of license for a period of time to be determined by a judge.

all 6 of my committee members (myself included) are for the passing of this bill.

Here is my speech:

Senate bill #S5 is a bill written by committee 5 regarding use of mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle. It is already known that minors are prohibited from cell phone use when driving, albeit a slight restriction. With this bill, we plan on prohibiting all drivers, minors or not, from using cell phones or other mobile devices, including hands-free devices such as Bluetooth, while driving

Article 1 states that no person shall engage in conversation on a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. Cell phones are nothing but a distraction. Driving requires a person’s undivided attention and full concentration on the road. Cell phone use diverts their attention from the road to the conversation, causing them to lose track of what they’re doing and get in an accident. Drivers using phones are as bad as drunk drivers. Professor David Strayer says “Just like you put yourself and other people at risk when you drive drunk, you put yourself and others at risk when you use a cell phone and drive. The level of impairment is very similar.” [1]. In a recent study, it was found that users who drove while using a mobile device, whether it be hand-held or hands-free, tended to drive slower, were 9% slower to hit the brakes, had varied following distance while their attention was switch to and from driving, and were 24% slower to resume normal speed. Compare this to the statistics of those who drove under the same circumstances drunk without the cell phones: They drove slower, but more aggressively. They hit the brake pedal with 23% more force, followed very closely, and tended to hit the brakes only four seconds prior to a collision. “Statistical analysis of the new and previous Utah studies showed cell phone users were 5.36 times more likely to get in an accident than undistracted drivers.” [1]

Article 2 of the bill to outlaw cell phone use while driving, touches on other functions of common mobile devices. This includes text-messaging, web browsing, playing games, taking pictures, recording videos, instant messaging, listening to and/or recording music and any other features your device might come with. All of the above list requires the user’s eyes to be diverted from the road, even if only for a short period of time, thus greatly increasing their chances of being involved in an accident. If you must use your phone for whatever reason, simply pull off to the side of the road and engage your four-way flashers first. Otherwise, leave the phone in your pocket or in the glove-box.

Article 3 lists the violations. Although only a secondary offense, the penalties are hefty. For a first time offense, the offender will face a 75 dollar fine. On the second offense, you must pay another 75 dollars and complete a driving course. For the third offense, your license will be restricted to driving to and from work, except when a reasonable emergency (such as child birth) for a period set forth by a judge, as well as a 75 dollar fine. Fourth and subsequent offenses will result in a suspended license for a length of time to be decided upon by a judge, increasing in length for every offense, as well as a 75 dollar fine.

Cell phones and other mobile devices are just as dangerous as alcohols when it comes to driving. They are both equally distracting, and equally dangerous, not only to you, but to your passengers, and even to people whom you may not even know.

and my reference (as close to MLA format as the boards will allow):

"Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks." What's New at
the U. 29 June, 2006. University of Utah. 30 Apr
2007 <http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1>.