Some say texting is their No. 1 distraction while driving.
Credit: ABC News | ©ABC News
I remember when I started driving. Each time I left the house my mom would warn me about wearing my seatbelt, being extra cautious of other drivers, and keeping the radio at a low volume so I wouldn't be distracted from other drivers and the road. I wonder how that lesson would be modified to fit today's world if I were just turning sixteen right now.
Why do we bring so many items to distract us when we pile into our vehicles and hit the road? Every morning during rush hour, I spot at least three drivers with books that they are reading. Drivers, not passengers, reading and driving. Last night, I was returning home from the grocery store on a 55 mph speed limit road and I ended up behind a giant SUV doing about 30 mph. Besides traveling far under the speed limit, the vehicle was swerving a bit. When it was finally safe to do so, I passed the SUV. As I passed, I couldn't resist getting a look at the driver, a middle-aged female who was staring down at her lap. I noticed that she didn't even have her hands on the wheel! I wasn't able to see what this woman determined deserved her attention more than the cars and lives of those around her. I harbor very little doubt opposing the theory that she was engaging in the most popular of driving pastimes, texting and emailing.
Common sense dictates that texting or emailing while driving is dangerous and highly irresponsible, yet so many drivers just can't help themselves. Almost every person that I know has a PDA or Blackberry. I own a PDA. I'll tell you what I use it for. I make calls with it. I use it to workout with because it is capable of storing hours of music (eliminating the necessity of owning an iPod). I occasionally snap a photo with it. I'm a freelance writer, so if an idea hits and I'm away from my laptop I quickly jot the idea into my PDA for use at a later time. I make a living off of writing and I have never been so overcome with the need to share written information that I decided it would be acceptable to peck away at the tiny PDA keyboard at the same time that I was maneuvering a two ton vehicle.
Why do we bring so many items to distract us when we pile into our vehicles and hit the road? Every morning during rush hour, I spot at least three drivers with books that they are reading. Drivers, not passengers, reading and driving. Last night, I was returning home from the grocery store on a 55 mph speed limit road and I ended up behind a giant SUV doing about 30 mph. Besides traveling far under the speed limit, the vehicle was swerving a bit. When it was finally safe to do so, I passed the SUV. As I passed, I couldn't resist getting a look at the driver, a middle-aged female who was staring down at her lap. I noticed that she didn't even have her hands on the wheel! I wasn't able to see what this woman determined deserved her attention more than the cars and lives of those around her. I harbor very little doubt opposing the theory that she was engaging in the most popular of driving pastimes, texting and emailing.
Common sense dictates that texting or emailing while driving is dangerous and highly irresponsible, yet so many drivers just can't help themselves. Almost every person that I know has a PDA or Blackberry. I own a PDA. I'll tell you what I use it for. I make calls with it. I use it to workout with because it is capable of storing hours of music (eliminating the necessity of owning an iPod). I occasionally snap a photo with it. I'm a freelance writer, so if an idea hits and I'm away from my laptop I quickly jot the idea into my PDA for use at a later time. I make a living off of writing and I have never been so overcome with the need to share written information that I decided it would be acceptable to peck away at the tiny PDA keyboard at the same time that I was maneuvering a two ton vehicle.
Comments
J=)
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/09/2009
I agree with this because they will always get distracted...
Comment 1 (of 1)
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