Kash should Heed the words of the RCMP’s top traffic cop and ban cell phone use for all drivers in British Columbia.

RCMP Traffic Services Supt. Norm Gaumont came out recently blasting people who use electronic devices while driving — noting many daredevils even type text messages as they try to negotiate traffic.

B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed is seeking public input on a cell phone driving law. He has given the public until Aug. 7 to comment on the issue.

Gaumont has publicly expressed his opinion that government should ban cell phone calling and texting for drivers in the province.

He is hardly a voice in the wilderness. BCAA did a poll that showed nine in 10 people favour restrictions on cell phone use for drivers, and 60% would support an outright ban. The support for a ban on texting while driving was almost unanimous, said BCAA.

There’s good reason for a ban. Recently, a Black Press employee witnessed a man yapping on his cell phone while leaving a gas station in his truck. He almost ran over one pedestrian but fortunately stopped barely in time. While he was watching the pedestrian walk by, he started driving again, almost running over two more people.

A 2006 Utah study cited in the provincial discussion paper found “the impairments associated with using a cellphone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk.”

Hopefully, dear reader, you will be among the voices saying B.C. should join the ranks of numerous provinces and states to impose restrictions on cell phone use for drivers. It’s time people’s safety was put above the right of drivers to put others’ lives at risk while they are answering the phone.

The discussion paper is available on the B.C. government website at www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/legislation/current.htm. It can also be obtained by calling Enquiry BC at 1-800-663-7867 and asking to be transferred to 250-952-6948.

– Richmond Review (Black Press)