The Canadian Automobile Association needs the provinces to stop novice motorists from using cell phones, iPods and even other handheld electronic devices to decrease the large number of accidents credited to driver distraction. It's a good idea, but why stops at novel or recently licensed drivers? There is a rising body of evidence that cell phones and other interruptions really increase the danger of crash with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and value poles. The CAA cites a study free in April by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that found that up to eight in 10 accidents engage some form of driver distraction, a much higher level than before estimated. It's true that more young people use cell phones, MP3 players and other like, but they are not the only ones reason heightened risks on the road.

An earlier review by the NHTSA showed that nearly a third of all motorists use their cell phones despite the fact that driving. Talking and listening slow response times and reduce drivers' ability to react to such commonplace situation as changes of speed, tapering of roadways and sudden stops. Road manners deteriorate, send-off other drivers aggravated and angry. Even when hands-free phones have been alternated, studies have found the dissimilarity is negligible. And the number of distractions is increasing, with the arrival of portable DVD players that could be mounted on dashboards and the fame of wireless e-mail devices and electronic organizers.