Should Baby Stroller Drivers Be Banned from Using Cell Phones?

We're all aware - and sadly many are culprits - of the dangers of cell phones while driving. Oprah Winfrey launched a safety campaign called No Phone Zone, which has zero tolerance for cell talk or texting while driving a car. Oprah asks us to sign a pledge, and spread the word on the deadly practice of distracted driving by chatting on a phone, when one should focus on the road. It's such an epidemic, that cell phone related deaths outstrip drunk driving fatalities. States have enacted cell phone bans when driving. Today while walking, an incident had me wonder if a cell ban should extend to baby carriages.

Off to lunch at a favorite sushi bar, I crossed at the corner of a busy intersection. Preoccupied with pleasing thoughts of California Rolls, a loud voice suddenly broke my sushi reverie. Alongside me appeared a young woman pushing a baby stroller, while cradling a mobile phone. She spoke loudly about something. We all know the type - who think we want to hear their dinner plans, bedroom talk or an offensive mixture of the two. Anyway, as the traffic light turned red, we crossed. I walked slightly faster, then became alarmed to see this woman veer off to the left - directly into street construction. Despite many warning flags and signs, she didn't alter course, but pushed her baby carriage straight toward the street construction site.

I soon crossed over and stood on the sidewalk, looking back to her. If she continued on her path, her stroller would careen into an enormous pot hole, full of jagged metal pieces and broken sidewalk remnants. I watched in absolute astonishment as attention focused on a phone made her completely unaware of where she was piloting her most precious cargo - her own baby.

Before the baby stroller fell into the concrete chasm, and before I could call out a warning, her eyes grew wide, and she changed direction sharply. Her eyes met mine, then quickly shifted to the ground, clearly relieved, but also embarrassed by her irresponsible driving.

I've seen the risky exploits in pedestrians chained to precious mobile phones. Hunched over smartphones, tapping away madly, these tech addicts march along oblivious to all. They collide into others, walk into potholes, or clownishly fall off curbs. As long as they make cell phone companies a little wealthier by sending text messages, broken bones for them or unfortunate others doesn't matter. Think the notion of a license to operate a cell phone is far fetched? If such moronic behavior causes needless injury, or often even death, it may not be such a bizarre thing to institute.

http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html