Marion Kimble
Speculation in the world of psychology suggests the law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, which goes into effect July 1, may do more harm than good.The issue of “cognitive capture,” or the idea that conversations on cell phones are the cause of accidents and not the actual holding of them, was reported on by the Los Angeles Times March 25,A letter from Norman Mineta, former secretary of transportation, was run with the article in the online edition.The letter states there is “little, if any, difference between hands-free and hand-held cell phone use while driving,” and that he was “convinced that legislation forbidding the use of hand-held cell phones… may erroneously imply that hands-free phones are safe to use while driving.”Though the term cognitive capture was new to him, Edward Mazeika, chair of the psychology department at Pierce College, agreed “the hands-free part is irrelevant.””With cell phones, it’s the same thing you have with cigarettes, or any distractions,” Mazeika said. “You may be less likely to hear a siren or pay attention to a red light.”According to the Times, Sen. Joe Simitian, a Democrat from Palo Alto, had a difficult time even getting the current bill passed.”There isn’t a study in the world that says you’re safer driving with a cell phone clutched to your ear than when you are driving with both hands on the wheel,” he was reported to have said.The penalty for using a hand-held cell phone while driving after July 1 will be a $20 ticket on first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses. Some students at Pierce do not take the new law seriously.Jerohn “Stylis” McGregor, Pierce student and frequent host of Open Mic events for the Associated Students Organization, feels the law will have little impact.Upon hearing of the penalty, he burst into laughter, saying, “That’s it? That’s not going to help anything.”While McGregor’s reaction was not unique, the inconvenience of dealing with law officials is enough influence for at least a few students to consider changing their ways.The hassle of being stopped was enough of a reason for Oliver Darwich to consider a Bluetooth. “I just don’t want to get pulled over… I hate being pulled over,” Darwich said.