Attached is an article Danny Feldman has written concerning the death of a
Scotsboro cyclist and the need to get rid of distractions (cell phone) while
driving. Please use/publication as you see fit. Thank you.

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Recently, a tragic event occurred which ended a man's life when a young woman
hit and killed him as, at least according to reports, see
http://www.wkrg.com/raw_news/article/cyclist-killed-by-driver-reaching-for-cell-\
phone/224408/Jul-31-2009_8-18-am/ she was distracted while reaching for a cell
phone.

What this event points out is what all of us who drive while using the cell
phone, texting, or while otherwise distracted know - and that is - that
operating a motor vehicle takes concentration and that being distracted from
concentrating while driving greatly increases the chances that we are going to
crash and hurt or kill ourselves or others. Really, who among us hasn't missed
a turn or run a stop sign while having our focus off the road and on our phone
or radio or child in the back seat? While some distractions are unavoidable - a
screaming child - many are not. For example, using a cell phone is a choice
that we make. Given that we know, both from many recent studies and from the
inescapable fact that we "live and breathe" and have personally experienced the
level of distraction that a cell phone causes, the question that I have is WHY?
Why do we use these devices that we know increase the risk of a tragedy like the
one that recently occurred in Scottsboro?

A few reasons come to mind: (1) we don't think it will happen to us; (2) closely
related to the first, we've done it before and not wrecked so it's not going to
happen; (3) we just don't carefully weigh the increased risks with the miniscule
benefit of making the call. What it comes right down to is that we are selfish
and we end up putting our own needs and convenience in front of societies' well
being.

I confess that I am as guilty as the next person - I have made calls, texted
etc. while driving. Given that I am an avid cyclist, this story rings close
because there, but for the grace of God, go me - I could have been the
unfortunate cyclist who was killed. However, the fact of the matter is that
although I cycle 6,000 miles a year, I drive 2-3 times that many miles. In
other words, I also am an avid motorist, and there, but for the grace of God, go
me - I easily could have wrecked and injured or killed someone while driving
distracted.

We are human; accidents happen. We don't have to increase the chances of events
like this occurring by talking or texting on the phone while driving. As for
me, I am recommitted to turning off my cell phone in the car, and if I really
need to make that call, it won't be the end of the world if I pull off the road
to do it.

Sincerely,

Danny Feldman

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