Oprah's No-Phone Zone Contradicts Area 511 Information Number

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Oprah Winfrey, the grand poobah of women's daytime talk television, has a new "Your Car Should Be A No-Phone Zone" campaign going on. In fact, along the Interstate 15 freeway going north as it approaches the 91 freeway in Corona, one of the digital bill boards flashes one of Oprah's pleas to the people to stop using their cell phones while driving.

I agree, people should keep their attention on the road, but I think it should be a personal decision, not a state mandate.

Anyway, with the effort to get people to stop popping that phone up against their ear while driving, there is also a push to help people in regards to traffic, considering how bad traffic is in Southern California. In fact, the ad that flashes after Oprah's No-Phone Zone ad is one that says: "Traffic? Call 511." The 511 number is a number one can call to get traffic information so that you may change course to a less congested path. The question: "Traffic?" assumes one is already aware there is traffic, and did not know, meaning they discovered the traffic while driving. So, right after Oprah's No-Phone Zone ad, the Inland Empire is encouraging people to ignore Oprah's plea, and use their phone to dial 511 for traffic information.

Too funny.

What's next? Protect our children ads right after abortion ads?

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary