>Is it known by the public that the use while driving is illegal and is there a sufficient fine? I think putting on makeup in the car while driving should bring a fine - and then of course there is eating, drinking, smoking, listening to music, etc. However, nothing seems to be more distracting and dangerous than speaking on the phone while driving - I guess it has to do with multi-tasking :o)

Not sure how current this data is, but a number of states have started instituting cell-phone bans:

http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

I think TX has changed their laws since last year. However, it hasn't cut down on the number of people doing it in the least. No amount of law can keep people from being stupid. The most recent winner was a young woman trying to put her hair up. She was swerving all over the place, since it was taking both hands! But the ones I don't understand are the people that take their little snack-sized dogs with them, in their laps.

Meanwhile, some time ago I heard about a study that demonstrated that listening to music at a low to moderate level can help improve driver alertness.