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Vocabulary Focus
negotiate
(v) to have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement with them
municipal court (n. phr) a court whose authority to make legal decisions is limited to cases within the surrounding city or region
cognizant (adj) taking notice of and considering something, especially when judging
exemption (n) the act of excusing someone or something from a duty, payment, rule or requirement
sparingly (adv) in a frugal or thrifty manner
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A legal matter
The only states to ban driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone are Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Washington D.C. and some other communities have banned it too.
In New Jersey, police issued at least 7,000 tickets to drivers who were talking on cell phones during the first six months of 2005, the most recent time period available. The real number of offenses is likely much higher, in part because charges are often negotiated away in municipal court, said Roberto Rodriguez, director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
Told of the new study, Rodriguez said he was not surprised that researchers found no difference between drivers who used hand-held phones and those who used the hands-free variety that is legal in New Jersey.
“You are not cognizant of what is going on around you” when having a (1) , Rodriguez said. “That is the danger.”
What about hands-free?
State Senator Martha Bark, a (2) of the state’s cell-phone ban, said the exemption for the hands-free variety was a (3) in order to get an unpopular measure passed. Bark said she got her own hands-free car phone only at her children’s urging, and that she uses it sparingly and (4) when possible.
“I do not talk on my phone,” Bark said. “I call my office and say, ‘I’m going to be five minutes late. Goodbye.’”
Frank A. Drews, one of the Utah study’s authors, said he never phones while driving. His reason is more than just the safety issue.
“I believe that I don’t have to (5) at any time,” Drews said. “I enjoy my quiet time.”
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