When will MADD get mad?

A brief follow-up to the post about being a polite cell phone user, it reminded me of a long-time grudge that I have with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). If you will remember the mid-1980s and Ronald Reagan wanted to raise the drinking age to 21 everywhere. He pimped MADD (and highway funds) to get his way. But this campaign on drinking had pernicious side-effect. The legal limit for being intoxicated has dropped and insurance companies are making a fortune if you do get popped.

Now no one says that we should be driving around hammered - BUT, when study after study has shown that drivers on cell phones are as bad (or probably much worse) than a drunk driver - where is MADD and the outrage? It was SO over the top in the 80s - mothers weeping about kids killed by drunks. But what happens when a suburban mom with 3 rats in her Navigator and a cell phone stuck in her ear talking about Botox mows down someone? Or the weavers on the Beltway with a phone jammed in their ear?

Why not legislate this out of existence....not hands free or any of that silliness. How about no cell phone use in the car. In Britain, everyone in an accident is breathalyzed on the spot. Wouldn't it be interesting to check everyone's cell phone usage in the minute prior to an accident. If they were talking and an accident happened - I say they should get the same punishment as a drunk driver. I mean in California they are taking away cars for DUI infractions - but they allow people who are effectively drunk (by cell phone usage) to zip all over town.

If MADD really cared more about human life than the moral crusade, this organization would be on the cell phone while driving issue like stink on shit.