To the editor:

Seeing as the cell phone ban for drivers has been chucked, further discussion may be moot. However, there is one point that I feel has been overlooked in the debate:

While there is a law on the books for inattentive driving, which should cover cell phone usage as well as the distractions of unruly pets or children, eating, radios, swatting at wasps, etc., cell phone usage is a unique distraction: It is constant, interactive and continuous for as long as the call lasts. This means it demands divided attention beyond most other driving distractions.

While I am not advocating a separate law to be enacted for cell phone usage, I do believe there is a higher degree of inattentiveness inherent in using a cell phone while driving.

Scott Winters,

Lawrence