Ban cell use in county cars

Before the Salt Lake County Council hangs up on a proposal by County Mayor Peter Corroon to prohibit cell phone use while driving in county cars, it ought to talk to the county's risk managers. Likewise, council members should read the work of University of Utah researcher David Strayer, who has concluded that young drivers have the reflexes of senior citizens when they drive while yakking on the phone.

As a matter of public safety, no one should talk on a cell phone while driving. Unlike listening to the radio or stereo, talking on the cell phone is interactive. Whether drivers are using a hands-free phone or cupping a cell phone to their neck, they are inattentive to the task of driving.

And unlike private individuals who pay privately for their automobile insurance, the county's liability issues are ultimately taxpayer liability issues. If hanging up the phones helps contain the county's auto accident claims, a ban would certainly be worthwhile. Requiring employees to park their car to talk on the phone should not make them less productive, particularly when the payoff is enhanced public safety.

As for the ability to enforce the ordinance, there probably isn't a means for department heads to police their employees' cell phone use 24/7. But if phone use or other inattentive driving contributes to an accident in a county vehicle, department heads could conceivably suspend an employee from driving a county-owned vehicle for a set amount of time.

Some employees have to have a county car to do their jobs, and it is understood that accidents happen. The county council would have to come up with reasonable incentives or deterrents to ensure that employees comply with the ordinance.

It should be noted that many private employers have instituted such bans, and they have seemingly found a carrot or club that encourages employees to comply with the policy.

Corroon's instincts on this issue are correct and supported by Strayer's research. The bottom line is that it is fine to multi-task at home or in the workplace, but not behind the wheel of a car, particularly a car bought and paid for by taxpayers.