+ Read the full news story from the Associated Press

That breakthrough event was predicted right on this site last october by Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper, in an exclusive interview. Last fall, Legislator Cooper convinced his county to adopt a regional ban and predicted the entire state would follow within a year.

+ Read my Exclusive Interview with Legislator Jon Cooper
... where you will learn:

- how a tragedy killing two adults and injuring kids spawned the debate
- why a total ban (a solution that exists elsewhere) wouldn't have been politically tenable in NY
- that using a hands-free device may help you communicate better
- and why Legislator Cooper thinks there could be a similar law in your state in the near future

Now, what will you do?

This is far from being the end of your cell phone use. Bans tend to be only for handheld phones, which mean that you can still use your phone with a hands-free device, either an earpiece or a speakerphone system. And the good news is it is not only safer but also much more fun:

+ View a list of online stores where you can get hands-free kits.
+ And if you are about to get a new phone, keep in mind that many recent phones already include a built-in speakerphone, such as the Panasonic ProMax or the Sanyo 4500.

Still skeptical? There are many studies about how cell phone use while driving may increase the risk of traffic accidents. There are also real life stories of people whose relatives where killed in car crashes involving a cellular phone:

+ Visit my list of links to relevant resources about the cell phone & driving issue

What Do You Think?
Now... what is YOUR opinion? Are you a concerned mom or dad that thinks drivers on cell phones are a plague? Are you a heavy cell phone user who would not want to be forced to stop using a phone while driving?

Join the forums, where a discussion on cell phone bans is going on. Give us your point of view or take these polls:

- How Often do you Use your Phone While Driving?
- Should we Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving?