We, like most drivers, have been following the talk about banning cell phones while driving. That’s why we were amused and intrigued to see an article in The Metro outlining how much cell phone bans might be a slippery slope.

Writer Alan Cross argues that we shouldn’t just be worried about cell phones. The very changing nature of technology in our cars places more distractions in our vehicles than ever before. Cross notes that Chrysler and Audi already have Wi-Fi technology in their newest vehicles, allowing drivers to potentially check email or surf the Internet while changing lanes. RDS readouts and changing CDs also distract drivers from the road. Special iPod-friendly systems allow drivers to check their iPod play lists and choose music from menus while on the road, Cross points out, and some new audio systems in today’s cars are like huge iPods, complete with distracting screens and play lists to choose from.

Cross’s article raises an interesting point – while we may all agree that the person who causes a crash because he or she is talking on a cell phone instead of looking at the road is liable, we all do have distractions in the car. Reading Cross’s article, we can’t help but wonder at all the distractions that he does not list in his article. What about the tired mom driving with a Barbie DVD blaring from the backseat DVD player? What about the dad driving with screaming kids in the car? What about the distractions on the road, caused by other drivers’ weird fashion sense or odd air guitar licks?

While we may like to think that our cars are little bubbles, they tend to be little bubbles that have a lot of stuff in them – and that’s before we even get to thinking about non-tangible distractions, such as a driver’s worry about this month’s bills. The problem is that these little bubbles travel at a 100 km/h or better, so little can distractions add up to a lot of smashed metal and many injuries.

It may be popular and simple to ban all mobile devices and in-car devices that may distract a driver (although surely car manufacturers would balk at the notion that their high-tech audio systems might be banned). It’s not that simple, is it? Life is distracting and at some point we need to decide which unnecessary distractions cause more accidents. Do cell phones cause more accidents than iPods in the car? Have manufacturers tested the safety of Wi-Fi in vehicles? Obviously, more research needs to be done.

The whole issue raises a question about liability and personal responsibility, too. Do we need to be told when something is distracting to the point of peril? Obviously, so many  drivers were talking on cell phones while driving that mandatory banning seemed necessary. But who legislates for common sense? Do we need to outline exactly which distractions are ok and which ones are “too dangerous”? And who gets to decide which distractions fall into what category?

As legislation struggles to keep up with technology, it’s food for thought.