For the week of June 13 - June 19, 2001

Ban `em

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The state of New York is expected to become the first in the nation to ban the use of cell phones while driving.

Passage in New York cannot come a moment too soon. Idaho should follow its lead.

Similar legislation has been proposed in at least 40 states, but none has been approved.

A 1997 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that the risk of accident created by a driver using a cell phone is the same as the risk posed by a drunk driver.

Some industry representatives claim that there are not yet enough highway accident statistics in to support a ban. In other words, they want to wait until enough wrecked cars and maimed bodies pile up before a ban is contemplated.

The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure comes to mind.

A ban will not destroy the industry for these very useful devices. It will simply protect the innocent from drivers who hit the road and leave their common sense at home.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.