ey simply show that there are some. Therefore regulation can possibly lower the total number of accidents.Costs and BenefitsAs with any regulations, there are tradeoffs of costs and benefits to different groups of people. Sometimes these costs and benefits are not distributed equally. In this section, the costs and benefits will be assessed for consumers, the cellular industry, and society as a whole.Consumers:There may be a loss in productivity for consumers of this industry. However, the pending federal legislation does not actual take away the use of cell phones while driving. Some say that there will be a loss in productivity because business transactions and other various forms of productive activity are done on the phone while driving. Many big industry lobbyists are opposing this type of legislation because of the amount of business that takes place while they are driving. They argue that it will tremendously limit their ability to perform their tasks because driving time is valuable and will be lost to them. However, the loss may be minimal depending on the time it takes for consumers to acquire hands-free devices. These devices can be inexpensive but does have a range of around $20-$100. Many phones, when purchased, already come with an ear piece that may be used to satisfy the mandate should the legislation be passed or if the consumer currently drives in areas where the state or local government has already passed legislation.With these costs comes benefits as well. Consumers can drive knowing that they are in a safer environment because other drivers do not simply have one hand on the wheel and a cell phone in the other hand. The studies do show that this form of driving is more dangerous than if a hands-free device is used but there is an uncertainty to the number of accidents this legislation may prevent. Many consumers do not realize it but this legislation may actually benefit them in that it limits their li...
