Every excursion across my small swath of suburbia now involves dealing with multiple erratic drivers, swerving dangerously to pass, tailgating, and generally looking as though they don’t realize there are other cars on the road. Truth is, they don’t: They’re talking on a cell phone or, worse, texting, and studies show they really aren’t aware of their surroundings. The problem has grown markedly worse in the past couple years as the devices (count iPods and GPS mappers now, too) have become ubiquitous.

In the UK, it’s illegal.

“Drivers who adjust sat-navs, tinker with MP3 music players such as iPods or send text messages at the wheel could also face prison sentences,” according to new guidelines from prosecuters, detailed in The Telegraph.

Studies clearly show that texting or phoning while driving is dangerous, about like driving drunk.

Of course, motor vehicle laws do not always prevent dangerous behavior. From The Telegraph article: “Using a hand-held mobile while driving was outlawed in 2003, but it is estimated that half a million motorists flout the ban each day.”

Still, the ban should span the pond. Many motorists flout our seat belt law, too, but that doesn’t mean the law should never have been instituted.