A number of readers have taken me to task for arguing that hands-free cellphones offer a "practical solution" to the dangers of cellphone use while driving, especially texting while driving.

I had cited a recent series of articles in The New York Times which directly addressed the issue of texting and within days a bill was introduced in the Senate to seek the banning of texting by all states within two years (14 states currently ban the practice).

I have been banging the drum against texting while driving for about two years - ever since I tried it and could not believe how dangerous it was. And I addressed the issue of hands-free devices in a previous blog.

To repeat, I do not think any use of cell phones while driving is safe. But there are degrees, with texting by far the most dangerous, followed by handheld phone use followed by handsfree use.

The NYT did indeed cite studies that found that hands-free devices "do not eliminate risk." In fact, it said they "may worsen the risk" by imparting a false sense of safety, causing drivers to let their guards down.

But to my knowledge no studies have found the degree to which hands-free use is more or less dangerous as hands-held use, or indeed as dangerous. Common sense tells me that it is less dangerous, but to what degree I do not know.

Indeed, while the NYT cites a study that found talking on a cell phone per se was distracting, it does not cite comparative figures - against, eating or fiddling with the radio/iPod, for example.

The only activity - if you can call it that - that it did cite was comparing it to driving with an alcohol level of 0.08 in the bloodstream which is legal limit in a number of states including Rhode Island.

It is also the legal limit in Britain, where I am from, and perhaps my position on hand-free cell phone use is informed by the British outlawing of all handheld cell phone use.

Period. And it is enforced by traffic monitoring cameras that are ubiquitous in Britain.
In addition, Britain law officials have advocated charging people caught texting with dangerous driving - as opposed to reckless driving for hand-held cell phone use - which carries automatic jail time.

At the same time, the fact is that many Brits flaunt the law by using hand-held devices and there are indeed calls for banning their use entirely.

For the time being, however, I am not convinced that the dangers of hands-free cell phone use merits the complete ban of cell phones in cars.

Texting? Preposterous. Hand-held cell phone use? Should be outlawed. Hands-free cell phone use? Given the fact that we all have cell phones, I think hands-free offers a practical compromise.

If it turns out that even hands free use is as dangerous as drunk driving, I would certainly be prepared to change my mind.

Peter C.T. Elsworth