(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.