(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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