The Maryland legislature is trying to resurrect a previously unsuccessful attempt to ban cell phone use while driving. Just to be “fair”, the bill goes beyond use of hand-held cell phones to include any instances where drivers are “blatantly distracted”. Well, that’s comforting to know, isn’t it?

How, exactly is this going to be enforced, and is it worth the money to have officers spend their time looking for “distraction” violations with so many other issues that police officers are already dealing with? Do we hire more police officers to deal with “distraction” offenses? Do we install cameras to look for “distraction” offenses?

According to the article, the bill includes “reading, writing, performing personal grooming, interacting with animals, adjusting cargo, or engaging in any other activity that distracts a person’s attention”. Let’s see, listening to the radio can distract, watching the idiot weaving in and out of traffic can distract, hell, even weather conditions can distract, so where does this stop? Does anyone see the possibility of localities abusing their newfound “empowerment” to “do something about distractive driving”? I understand the intent, but isn’t there a better way to achieve the goal? A total ban always seems like the easy way out…