States and municipalities in 44 states either have enacted or are looking at laws to curb the use of cellular phones while driving. A House subcommittee is holding hearings on the matter this week. This, despite recent studies that show cell phone use is rarely the cause of accidents. In the latest issue of TechKnowledge, Cato's Adam Thierer examines the impracticability and futility of these laws.

Thierer also discussed the issue recently on MSNBC's "Barnicle," and on MSNBC "Live."

Robert W. Hahn, Paul C. Tetlock and Jason K. Burnett looked at the issue several months ago in Cato's Regulation magazine.