No call, no text, no Facebook update, is worth a human life. That means put the phone down and leave it out of reach when driving. I think it will help drivers not be tempted and keep their eyes on the road.

While talking on the phone can reduce accidents for drowsy drivers, texting can increase accident rates up to 23 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, cell phone distractions cause some 600,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths.

Some kids say they have a harder time driving when they don’t check their phone. A survey by the Pew Research Center in 2010 found that 51 percent of men who use text messaging have sent or read messages while driving, compared to 42 percent for women. The survey found 78 percent of men reported talking on the phone while driving, compared to 72 percent of women.

I think that we should ban cell phone use when driving in the Maine, for everyone’s safety.

Michael Gordon, Auburn