Regarding your article “Cellphone abuse on road out of control,” you write that law enforcement should also emphasize avoiding other in-car distractions – eating, applying makeup, fiddling with the radio, focusing on other people or pets in the car, etc.

As far as distractions go, I agree that all of these things can surely serve as a distraction and possibly cause an accident. This brings up the question of why there are consequences for using a cellphone while driving, but not for eating or playing with the radio.

All three circumstances require a motorist to use his or her hands for a purpose other than driving, therefore causing an individual to lose focus.

In other words, eating food or changing a radio station can be just as distracting as using a cellphone, but people still continue to do these things without being aware of the dangers involved.

Your suggestion of law enforcement officials emphasizing the importance of avoiding other distractions is a great way to encourage safety issues.