Newswise — Stephen B. Wicker, Cornell professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University, comments on the National Transportation Safety Board proposed ban on using cell phones while driving. His research focuses on networking technology, law, sociology, and how regulation can affect privacy and speech rights. He is the author of the book “Cellular Convergence and the Death of Privacy,” to be published by Oxford University Press at the end of 2012.
Wicker says:
“It was announced today that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will recommend a nationwide ban on drivers using personal electronic devices. NTSB Chair Deborah Hersman said that no call, no text, no update is worth a human life.
“While a noble stance, this is not an effective basis for policy. This sort of ethical calculus would set our speed limits at 10 mph and make many of our favorite foods illegal. This is a sledgehammer approach to an admittedly serious, but more nuanced problem.
“There is a trade off to be publicly debated. The cellular platform is an extremely important means for political and other forms of speech. I strongly feel that safety education coupled with hands-free capabilities for all cars form the basis for better policy; the same goals can be achieved without compromising speech values. The NTSB can mandate hands-free voice technology in the same manner that seat belts were mandated decades ago. A market for voice-activated text can also be created through government mandate.
“Speech is a critical element to a functioning democracy. We should be extremely careful before we create a vast speech-free zone in our highly mobile world.”
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