Study Suggests
Juggling While Driving
Could Be Dangerous

A groundbreaking, volumous study reveals that juggling while driving could be dangerous under certain conditions. Jugglers are furious.

By George Wolfe

LOS ANGELES — Juggling critics lashed out at the latest driving pastime, citing a number of juggler-related crashes in and around Southland freeways.

A new study sponsored by the University of California at Berkeley concludes that people who juggle while driving a moving vehicle experience a phenomenon called "divided attention," which has the potential to lead toward "diminished `intelligence quotients.'" In other words, because they're trying to do many things at once, they might do something dumb: like hit something.

— Paul Simmons (D - Long Beach)

The study, to be published in this month's issue of Sense and Insensibilities, has re-opened a debate that began when radios were first installed in cars. At the time, lawmakers argued that the new devices should be banned from vehicles because they would distract drivers.

But manufacturers of juggling balls and other juggling paraphernalia contend that juggling while driving poses no greater danger than do cell phones, back seat conversations or driving under the influence of an appetite.

Juggling manufacturer, CircusStuff, Inc., isn't happy with the pressure to clamp down on jugglers. "Why single us out? And once you say that, in America, a person can't do what he pleases while in the privacy of his own car, then isn't that setting a dangerous precedent? Where do you stop? Do we keep people with allergies off the roads because it's a danger to sneeze and drive? Of course not. Educating people about the dangers of their choice of entertainment would be more effective that simply regulating everything."

The National Safety Council, a non-profit which originally sponsored the study, would not take sides on the matter. Instead, they note at the end of the study: "It's not our goal to say what's right. This study is merely an attempt to better understand the situation. Despite the efforts of this study, we agree that there's still not enough information out there to make an informed decision."

But such statements haven't stopped California legislators from grappling with complaints by their constituents: businesses and individuals alike. "There are certainly a lot of gray areas that we're busy sorting out," says Paul Simmons (D-Long Beach). "If we say that balls are OK, then do we allow pins? How about knives? And fire? To me, I can't help but think about how many lives could've been saved with even minimal legislation in place."

The penalty for juggling would be the same as driving without a seat belt: $20 the first time, $50 for further violations.

Long-time transportation expert, Bill Bothwell, defends the new study and calls for reason. "Look, it's not meant to be a total solution. But common sense says that circus-related stunts and driving just don't mix. I mean, come on! If you know someone who juggles and drives, and you love them, tell them it's just not cool."

But sensing the broadening debate and regulations over driving while doing certain activities, an alliance was formed that calls itself Hands Off My Car. The group is a mixture of fast food chains and makers of circus arts equipment.

"Laws for drivers should be equal," says alliance member Cindy Bakersfield, "whether I choose to swallow a hamburger or a sword."