I have already given the correspondence (both directions) to John Chwat and Dan Henderson with the idea that it be used to support our legislative efforts to keep Amateur Radio from being swept into the same distracted-driving basket as text messaging and cellphones.

 

I believe it is important to our credibility, as well as to avoid goading NSC into issuing a possibly damaging clarification, that we be very careful not to claim that the NSC letter says more than it does. The best way to do that is to provide the letter in its entirety and not simply to quote from it the parts we like best.

 

Dave K1ZZ

 

From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 1:56 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18085] FW: National Safety Council reply

 

My letter to NSC was not confidential, in fact it was reported on ARRLWeb. The response is not confidential either.

 

I see no reason why it can't be shared. If someone else does, speak up!

 

ZN

 

 

From: K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 12:33 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:18085] FW: National Safety Council reply

I sent this early this morning, but used an incorrect address for myself.  Therefore, it wasn’t accepted by the system.

 

;-(

 

Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director

ARRL Great Lakes Division

5065 Bethany Rd.

Mason, OH 45040

E-mail:  k8je@arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

From: K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.com]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 1:20 AM
To: 'arrl-odv'
Subject: RE: National Safety Council reply

 

Joel,

 

Your latest message caught me just as I was going QRT, but the topic is so timely for Ohio that I felt compelled to review your note and the reply you forwarded with it.  Tnx for sharing the letter promptly.

 

I am quite comforted that NSC has expressed no reason for specific concern over Amateur Radio as a known cause of automobile accidents.  As suggested in your transmittal note, this is very heartening to hear.  However, as I suspect you also noted, President Froetscher conversely failed to recognize AR as being a non-contributor to motor vehicle accidents.  Her decision not to take a position that is even more supportive of AR is not surprising.  From a scientific standpoint, one cannot prove a negative.  On the other hand, few legislators are scientists so maybe the “preponderance of evidence” or such rule might be applicable here.

 

In view of the existence of active cell phone distracted driving legislation in Ohio, I would like to ask two questions concerning Ms. Froetscher’s letter.

 

-                      May I share the NSC letter with the Ohio SM and his SGL at least for their knowledge and possible use in dealing with the Ohio State Legislature?

-                      To what extent, if any, would it be acceptable to share the letter with – i.e. would it be OK for me to share the letter with the Ohio SM/SGL on a confidential basis?  Would it be OK only to tell them the NSC has stated it has no evidence to indicate AR is a cause of driving accidents?  Would it be OK to share a digital copy of the letter with the SM/SGL?  Similarly, to what degree is it OK to disclose the letter to Ohio legislators?

-                      Finally, has it been determined yet how best to suggest (to SMs and SGLs) using the NSC letter to support Field defenses against distracted driving bills?

 

I’m not certain the above questions have been asked in the best sequence or if they are truly the best questions to ask.   They might help get the ball rolling, though (in case it isn’t already rolling).

 

Nice work in getting NSC to document AR is not a major cause of hazardous, distracted driving.

 

Tnx, 73, CL,

 

Jim

 

Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director

ARRL Great Lakes Division

5065 Bethany Rd.

Mason, OH 45040

E-mail:  k8je@arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 9:19 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: FW: National Safety Council reply

 

 

You will recall I recently senta letter to the National Safety Council expressing concern that Amateur Radio operators may be impacted by the flurry of legislation aimed at distracted driving, primarily for cell phone use.

 

Attached is a response I received from NSC President Janet Froetscher. I appreciate her quick and factual response and I'm pleased to see NSC shares our position on distracted driving, especially in regards to the use of amateur radio equipment.

 

73 Joel W5ZN