(A former
police officer, and safety instructor, speaks out)
I have been reading the various posts concerning the various aspects of
GA House Bill #19 with great interest as well as a great amount for
concern for my fellow amateurs.
The thrust of the bill, like it or not, is the promotion and assurance of
a "safer roadway" for all to use.
It is a presumption on my part, though I believe it would be
substantiated if researched, that 98% (or a figure very close to that) of
all amateurs refrain from actually "Sending CW" while in
motion. Most of us simply find a convenient place and pull to the
side of the road before commencing operations. The bill in question
has its thrust being "WHILE IN MOTION" though it may, or may
not, state that effect in a parenthetical sense.
The use of a cell phone while in motion requires (for the most part)
using a device which is hand held to the ear. The same would be
involved in the use of a microphone held in close proximity to the
lips. It does detract from one's ability to
concentrate on driving. Many a public record exists to substantiate
that conclusion. Simply stop a police officer on the road and ask
him/her how many accidents he/she has worked where a cell phone in use
was a primary factor in causing the accident.
I will never forget the day when my wife called me on the phone and told
me that another driver had (while using a cell phone) hit her from behind
while both vehicles were in motion. That collision
totalled out my wife's new car and I thank God every day that she was not
injured. Does this have any cause or effect in my writing
this? I would be less than truthful if I said, "No." but
it does have more to do with my experiences before I ever
met and married my wife.
The use of a headset, you say? What is the purpose of a set of
headphones over the ears? To block out interfering
noise. Being a safe driver of a vehicle while in motion
requires being aware of what you, as the driver, can see and
hear with respect of what is going on around you. A
headset of any type (with or without a boom microphone attached) detracts
from one's ability to be cognizant of his/her surroundings.
I can remember my brother (K4BK) and I discussing making a mobile run of
south Georgia counties during the Georgia QSO Party. We never
once considered mobile operations while in motion. Our main
thrust of the discussions was the ability to find and access a safe
place to park in every county prior to commencing
operations. Rick (NQ4I) commented that this would be the end of the
GA QSO Party. what an astonishingly stupid remark. It well
may be so for his particular part in the event but, for my part, I would
rather have Rick abstain from participation rather than have him sending
CW while in motion. It is inherently unsafe! Sorry, Rick, but
that's how I feel about it.
If we sit back and complain about cell phone usage, and CBers using their
equipment, while in motion, we cannot, in good faith, exempt ourselves
from the same criticism.
Before we jump up and down and scream and holler about this bill and its
effect on ham radio as a whole, let's read it very carefully and seek
appropriate amendments to said bill to exempt the use of ham radio in
emergency situations from the general scope of the legislation.
Now, I am rather certain that many will decry my statements and call me
whatever but do think about this with a clear and objective mind before
you start calling your representative demanding he/she vote against the
bill as a whole and try to get him/her to offer amendments to work in our
collective favor.
J. Gordon Rowe - K4OD
Lieutenant (Ret)
Fort Valley P.D.
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