I understand the inspiration behind the laws banning cell phones from being used by someone operating a vehicle. I do. I think they are the wrong approach, but I do get it.

The fact is, I have used a headset with my cell phone since 1998, well before it was required in my home state of New York. It seemed like a good idea, because quite frequently, I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. As such, I recognized my weakness and dealt with it.

On the other hand, it appears to me that the cell phone law not only penalizes those who can pay attention, it also doesn’t work.

A case in point: Last night, while driving home from work, I was cut off by a guy driving a very large SUV while he was talking on his cell phone. He was driving too fast, and was all over the road. When the opportunity arose, I pulled up alongside him, beeped my horn, and told him to hang up his f***ing phone. He did. Funny thing, at that moment, his driving became far less erratic, and he slowed down to within about 5 MPH of the speed limit.

Clearly, this person had no business talking on his phone while driving. Did the law stop him? No. What good is it, then?