Mobile Radio Distraction

The word Telemeter is defined as an apparatus for recording the readings of an instrument and transmitting the accumulated data by radio. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses an adjective form of the word telemetrics to describe the use of mobile communications devices. Although amateurs relate this to two way radios communications, there are other forms. For example, cell phones, mobile fax machines, e-mail, navigation systems, and devices under driver voice command.

While some of these devices are more distracting than others (their basic design plays an important part), the cell phone is by far the most distracting. This fact has prompted some political entities to enact laws governing their use while underway. The city of Santa Fe, NM is once such entity. Within the city limits of Santa Fe, if you use a cell phone while underway, it must be operated in a handsfree mode. In the nearly two years the ordinance has been in effect, local authorities have written over 3,000 $60 tickets to scofflaws. The city of Lawrence, KS is poised to go one step further, and eliminate all mobile-in-motion cell phone usage. At this writing, over 100 cities have joined the ranks with anti-cell phone ordinances on their books with lots more on the way.

The question you might be asking, what has this to do with amateur radio? The simple answer is, none of the ordinances exempt amateur radio per se. In fact, most of the ordinances give police officials sole discretion in the decision to write a citation. In other words, we’re walking on some very thin ice while operating mobile-in-motion amateur radio in jurisdictions which have anti-cell phone ordinances on the books.

This brings up another question; is handsfree use actually safer than non-handsfree use? According to the NHTSA it isn’t. This very question was ask in one of their recent polls; Do you believe hands-free technology is sufficient to address safety concerns related to cell phone use while driving? Seventy-three percent said no! When asked if local governments should enact laws to restrict the use of cell phones while driving, 74% said yes, even though 63% of the respondents don’t use handsfree operation themselves. An even more disturbing and alarming fact (handsfree use notwithstanding), studies by the NHTSA have shown you are safer driving on the road with a drunk than you are a cell phone user!

The biggest question of all, are amateur radio operators statistically safer than cell phone users? I think not, even though there are no supporting data either side of the argument. I recently posed this question to a local police officer; If you were investigating a vehicle crash, and it was evident that a major contributing factor was the use of amateur radio, how would you so indicate on your report? Since the local police department is partially funded by the fed, the use of telemetrics must be included in their reports. The problem is, it’s a check box! In other words, the crash report doesn't differentiate one form of telemetrics from another unless the officer specifically mentions it. This obviously roils the statistics, but not the bottom line; amateur radio is as distracting as cell phone use.

I believe there are several actions every amateur radio operator can make which will lessen the distraction, and perhaps earn us an exemption in the landslide of new anti-telemetric ordinances.

1). When driven conditions are poor (heavy traffic, rain, snow, etc.), hang up the microphone and pay better attention to your driving.

2). Where it is legal, use a good quality headset like those offered by Heil Sound. If vehicle interior environment is quiet enough, a noise-canceling headset will allow the use of VOX. Just remember to keep a civil tongue towards the idiot in front of you.

3). Mount your radios in such a manner that dangling microphone cables and power cords are safely out of the driving interference zone, yet are easy to control and operate.

4). Use one of the inexpensive digital voice recorders to log your important contacts. If you have a passenger, let them do it. Better yet, let them drive and you operate.

5). Last but not least, get involved with your local governmental entities, and work towards exempting amateur radio from the avalanche of anti-telemetric ordinances. This is best done as a united front, so get your local clubs and Section Managers involved too.

Alan, K0BG

http://www.k0bg.com