Laws and prohibitions are going to have a difficult time keeping up with technology. No doubt talking on a cell phone – or even worse, dialing one – is a distraction.

But there are lots of distractions in a car.

Rep. Deborah Pelletier-Simpson has introduced legislation that would prohibit drivers from using handheld cell phones. Hands-free calling would still be allowed.

There’s a compelling case to be made. Cell phones distract drivers. By making it mandatory to use speakerphones or earpieces, at least drivers could keep both hands on the steering wheel. But that’s likely not enough if the intent is to improve driver performance.

A large study conducted by the University of North Carolina and AAA found that cell phones contributed to just 1.5 percent of the more than 32,000 crashes studied. Car stereos clock in at 11.4 percent. A similar, but smaller, study by Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles found that rubbernecking was the most likely cause of driver distraction and crashes. Looking at scenery and other things outside the vehicle followed closely behind.

Research conducted at the University of Utah was more disturbing. Motorists between 18 and 25 were shown to have reaction times similar to a 65-year-old while driving and talking on a cell phone. And, in some instances, talking on a cell phone slows reaction times and impairs performance in a way similar to driving while intoxicated.

But the research also suggests that it’s the conversation that causes the problems. And that’s specifically not outlawed by Pelletier-Simpson’s bill. Would consumers and voters even consider it if it were? Probably not.

Seven states and at least 25 cities have limitations or bans on the use of cell phones by drivers. At this point, Maine shouldn’t join them.

We know that seat belts and motorcycle helmets save lives and reduce injuries, but we’re not convinced that hands-free, cell-phone calls improve safety enough to warrant new restrictions.

Cell phones have a unique ability to engender outrage. For some reason – OK, many reasons – a lot of people get really irritated just seeing someone talk on a cell phone while driving. When a ringer goes off in a restaurant, you can almost hear eyes rolling. And the threats of violence and ill will are a little disturbing; how often do we hear people say, “And I just wanted to rip that cell phone out of his hands and …”

The stereotype of the suited, obnoxious businessman or the Paris Hilton wannabe chatting obliviously on a cell phone while the real world works around them lives on, despite being outdated.

According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, there are more than 160 million cell phone subscribers in the United States, and they used more than 500 billion minutes in the first half of 2004. That’s mothers, fathers and kids staying in touch during increasingly hectic days. Friends connecting during random slow moments. And work being done outside the confines of cubicles.

Maine should go cautiously before placing restrictions on that type of commerce and communication.