Cavalcade of Bans - All for your Safety

Recently the top local news that hit the paper was on bans. Ban on smoking while driving, in the presence of children, proposed ban on use of hand-held cell phones while driving in Maryland and on trans fat in Maryland restaurants. "These bans govern the privacy of our body", some say. Even before I counter argue this statement, let me explain what each ban means.

City council of Bangor, Maine made the decision to ban smoking in cars when children are present. This ban was passed with good intention to prevent smokers and youngsters from being victims of lung cancer as a result of smoking (actively or passively). Smokers say that they are being dictated as to what they should or should not do. No, they are not being dictated. They could smoke their lungs out as long as they are not affecting others. Some might not like the smoke, some maybe allergic to smoke or some might not want to be the victim of passive smoke. So it becomes the duty of the smoker to make sure that the smoke affects only the smoker and not other people around.

Maryland is proposing to ban chatting on hand-held cell phones while driving. Similar ban is present in Washington, D.C. where drivers can be given a ticket if they are caught talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving in D.C. Talking on cell phone while driving is considered "distracted driving" along with other activities like reading, writing or performing "personal grooming" while driving. Distracted driving also includes putting on makeup, combing hair or shaving, reading newspaper while driving. Studies have shown that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit. Common sense would say that performing any other activity while driving would lead to accidents. If you want to attend a call, pull over and do so. Talking on cell phone while driving results in being oblivious to their surrounding, weaving in and out of lanes, spiking the brakes as a reaction. While driving, undivided attention is needed for the safety of the driver and other drivers who are sharing the road along with you.

Along with the bans mentioned above, Maryland is also proposing to ban Trans fat in foods prepared in restaurants. One would argue here, saying eating is ones choice. Yes, I do agree, but not suing afterwards telling that coffee served was hot (when you asked for a hot cup of coffee) or suing, saying that you became fat eating all the fatty food in your fast food chain. We also complain that children today are Obese, when we do allow them to eat all possible junk foods. To avoid all this, the government is passing a law to make sure that the food is cooked with oil that has less fat or no Trans fat at all.

I am all for these bans as they are for our health and safety. "No smoking with children in cars" will make sure that smokers don't smoke with children in cars. One can argue that they smoke with children around at home. This is where parenting decision comes in. While at home, parents should make the decision as to how they want to bring up their kids. But outside, the law can make an attempt to prevent kids from becoming victims of passive smoking. Similarly, the two proposed laws in Maryland will make sure to bring safety while driving and to reduce obesity in growing kids.