Shells guide: Driving with ear buds

It is not unseen to spot a passing motorist with headphones on. These distracted drivers are less alert to situations on the road, outside their car. But is it illegal? I thought so. Many people I have talk to say they also thought it is illegal. However, my research tells me wearing earbuds or headphones while driving is legal in Indiana and many other states. Some states have restrictions telling drivers they can only have one earbud in at a time, however studies have found that earbuds are no more of a distraction that listening to loud music, talking on a cell phone, or having a noisy muffler. Many drivers don't listen to cues from the roadway or even emergency vehicles (eek!). Plus wouldn't mandating a head phone law infringe upon the rights of the deaf and hearing impaired? They have the right to drive and they hear less than a person with earbuds in.

Before I sat down to write this blog I though I was on the side of banning drivers from wearing earbuds or headphones. Now however, I see this as a larger human rights issue and what seemed like distracted driving is actually just a minor complication. There still is a major misunderstanding of the law when it comes to this practice. There is a lot of judging and finger pointing over something that seems like it could be or perhaps should be illegal.

"Shells guide" is a collection of life lessons I wish everyone knew or was at least aware of. Someone once told me that everyone has a virtual book of knowledge in their head that they think everyone else should abide by. The thing is, not everyone has your pages and it is hard to play the game if you don't know the rules.