12 - Sunday, July 31, 1994 - Nority Shore News INQUIRING REPORTER Photo: Cindy May 4 whe Ar SOC EPS rT ti tS FPS ADS CALLING ALL cars ... calling all cars... The days are num- bered for motorists using cellular phones if Jackie Ball has her way. Phe Prince George mother was involved in a motor vehicle accident last week that put her 12-year-old son into hospital, Witnesses say the driver of a pickup had been talking on a cel- lular telephone when he ran a red light and broadsided Ball's station wagon. While Ball is convinced that the accident wouldn't have happened if the man hadn't deen on the phone, obviously we'll never know for sure. But common sense sug- gests that he was probably distracted. People are often distract- ed while driving. Taking a hand off the wheel to hold a cellular phone is akin to driving one-handed while holding a sandwich, drinking a cup of coffee, changing the radio station, or choosing a tape. And what's the difference between a driver engaged in a conversation on a cellular phone or with a passenger in the vehicle? Because it is nearly impossible to prohibit every poten- tial distraction to motorists, it would be easier to enforce an existing infraction: driving without due care and attention. , Should motorists be prohibited from using cellular phones while driving? Vu Truong Vancouver Yes. they should be prohib- ited because it’s dangerous. You can't drive and do something else. It’s like drinking or eating and dri- ving — your risk of an acci- dent increases. If you're into a conversation, you tend to forget what's on the road. Lorna Gregg North Vancouver Yes, because it's dangerous. A lot of people don't know how to drive defensively to begin with and using a cel- lular phone detracts even more from their ability to drive. SURVEY TEAM THE NORTH Shore News survey team telephoned 464 North and West Vancouver residents to find out whether you think motorists . should be prohibited from using cellular phones while driving. The following is a complete breakdown of survey results: Oh so fresh and wonderfil! Melon season is here, And that means juicy, fresh pink watermelon, cool cantaloupe and sweet honeydews ave ripe for your next picnic or barbecue. Come to Lonsdale Quay Market today and choose from our colourful array of fruits and vegetables — always fresh and delicious! Adam Dymitruk Vancouver Absolutely, because it's dis- tracting and dangerous. As well, it’s pretentious. [f you're that busy, why are you driving anyway? Horseshoe Bay Dundarave/Ambleside British Properties Norgate/Pemberton Heights Capilano/Delbrook Highlands Lower Lonsdale Central and Upper Lonsdale Lynn Valley Biueridge/Deep Cove TOTAL wevcvssssscsssscrtersecseesresveers 13070 14.9% Farshad Abast Vancouver Yes. because it distracts them and causes accidents. NO 124% 12% YES 67% 78% 69% 20% 69% 25% 82% 9% 88% 9% 10% 14% 67% 21% 69% 17% pT ea at Sylvie Vandercruyssen Belgium No, They should be made aware, but I don’t think it should be prohibited. If they drive slow and their cars are automatic it should be all right. [Us more dangerous in Europe because they drive faster and fewer cars are auiomatic, NO DON'T OPINION KNOW 5% 16% 1% 3% none 11% 3% 3% 3% 9% 8% 6% 5.1% 6.7% A Cody cools down by nibbling on a big piece of sweet watermelon ~ fresh and colourful from the merchants ar Lonsdale Quay Market. We're on the waterfront at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue. For more info call 985-6261. Open daily, FREE PARKING ON WEEKENDS.