A feature package and editorial pointed out the effects of text messaging on the further deterioration of the English language. And two Observer-Reporter columnists made cell phones their targets, addressing habitual - or is it addictive? - use and peace-and-quiet-shattering ring tones.

If anyone thought cell phones might be a fad, their pervasiveness has demonstrated emphatically that they're here to stay, for just about everyone.

That's good news for the folks who devise mind-boggling pricing structures for cell-phone plans. But it doesn't sit very well with people who have safety concerns about the devices, in the short and long runs.

There's the phone-in-the-ear, hands-on-the-wheel issue of drivers who like to chat. One of our employees was nearly obliterated the other day by a woman who made a left turn in front of him while chatting away. Laws have been passed in certain quarters against doing both at the same time, but it still is perfectly legal in Pennsylvania. If it weren't, police would be pulling over even more motorists along Route 19.

Unfortunately, doing both at the same time raises the distraction level to the point where it could become a hazard. Police reports show that occurs more often than we'd like to think. And the youthful practice of text messaging while driving is absolutely frightful.

On the other side of the motoring equation, many pedestrians have cell phones to their ears as they traverse the sidewalks and streets. If the walkers pay more attention to their conversations than oncoming traffic, problems may ensue.

But the largest impact of cell-phone use might come decades from now, when long-term health effects can be gauged.

Concerns about overexposure to radiofrequency energy have been raised for years. And although studies to this point have helped dispel notions of RF energy contributing to cancer, it might be a good idea to not spend so much time with a phone in the ear.

While you're at it, wait to use your cell phone until after you've parked your car or reached the end of your walk. Those may be some tall orders in this day and age, but you'll be less likely to need to call for an ambulance.

Home