Every day, in my small town, I encounter people rushing through intersections, not paying attention, while talking on cell phones.  I have developed the habit of counting people talking on cell phones, passing through intersections, while I'm stopped at traffic lights.  I would estimate that forty to fifty percent of people have a phone to their ear.  Today, two people almost hit me while talking on cell phones.  If I hadn't been aware, they would have run into me.

Other states and jurisdictions (DC) have laws to prevent cell phone usage while driving.  My daughter is sixteen, and I fear for her future driving ventures when people don't realize the danger of this habit.  I know people eat, put on make-up, fiddle with the radio, etc while driving, but, while none of these activities are exactly safe while driving, they don't distract the driver like talking on a phone.  Also, if someone is driving, and is talking to a passenger in the vehicle and gets distracted, that passenger can say "Hey, watch out!!"  The person on the other end of the phone cannot do this.  This is why I would support a total cell phone usage ban while driving, not just hand helds.

Also, with the economy faltering, surely the accidents this law would prevent would save Virginia millions of dollars.

I have more research to do, and I intend to follow up with more facts about this dangerous practice.  Perhaps by the time my son gets his license in five years, we'll have some cell phone laws on the books to protect Virginians, maybe all Americans.