From today it is illegal to hold your cell phone and talk or text while driving. If you need to use a phone in the car, you must pull over to the side of the road and stop. You may instead use a hand-less phone which works when it hears your voice. This kind of phone is fixed in place in your car and you don’t need to touch it. You say the name of the person you want to speak to and the phone dials the number. Then you can speak to that person. The phone turns itself off when you stop talking.
More than 50 countries have this law banning cell phones in cars. Holding a phone means you are driving with only one hand. There have been accidents. Of course, it is not just holding the phone which is dangerous. It can be dangerous to talk, text, send emails, drink coffee, read the paper, put on make up or do any of those other things which drivers sometimes do. A driver needs to pay attention at all times when driving. It is much safer to turn the phone off when in the car.
Many business people are worried they will lose business if a customer cannot contact them easily. But business people in other countries manage. New Zealand business people will manage too.
Yes, distracted driving is dangerous and must be avoided, honestly, I have had an accident which nearly cost my life when I was using my cell phone.