To the editor:

When did talking on a cell phone while driving become legal? Cell phone driving is equated to drunken driving because it is a huge distraction.

Talking while driving could be declared irresponsible driving. If my memory serves me well, there is an ordinance against irresponsible driving. Is this ordinance enforced?

Now, really, how important is any phone call that it cannot wait until one is parked? Haven’t we all found ourselves fumbling around in our pockets, a purse or whatever to catch that phone call? Is that not a distraction or what?

Some cyclists also should consider not talking on cell phones until stopped as well.

Quite recently there was a bicycle-truck accident on Sixth Street. The cyclist was on the sidewalk pulling a child in a trailer. How in the world could a driver run over a cyclist on a sidewalk in plain sight? What could have been the distraction?

Are drivers simply not paying attention? On a Kansas Highway 10 marquee it says watch out for motorcycles. There are billboards stating the same thing. Apparently car and truck drivers are needing encouragement to pay attention.

There are more motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians in the area now than ever due to high gasoline prices, people concerned about the environment and a variety of other reasons. All are subjected to traffic ordinances, but all of us paying attention is as important as any traffic ordinance.

Richard Heckler,
Lawrence