Sit behind steering wheel. Shift into drive. Place right foot on gas. Move forward. Pick up speed. Bow head. Direct eyes toward lap. Place four fingers of each hand behind cellphone. Use thumbs to type message. Swerve into my lane. Swerve back when I honk. Slow down on green light. Speed up on red light. Slam on brakes. Remain unaware of everything but your own interests. That accurately sums up the actions of the person driving(?) next to me most nights on the way home from the Institute .
We have all seen them and, I would venture to guess, cursed them. Them… those rude, inconsiderate and totally oblivious drivers who insist that texting and driving are compatible. I wish I could say that the guilty parties are always in their teens, twenties and thirties. Unfortunately, even Baby Boomers – those of us who supposedly grew up with an understanding of personal responsibility – are at fault.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 34 states prohibit the use of handheld devices while driving. Said ban is a primary enforcement law in all states expect Alabama and Missouri, which means that a police officer may cite a driver without any other traffic violation being committed. Additionally, 49 states ban text messaging while driving but only six of those states consider it a primary enforcement law.
I have a hard time understanding why there are different laws for talking on a cell phone and texting on a cell phone. Texting is much more attention deficient intensive than having an actual conversation, especially since callers can employ the use of the phone’s hands-free speaker. No one between the ages of 16 and death should be texting and driving. Why? Because the “death” part could come a lot sooner if you do, and it might be mine.
Let’s go one better. With the lives of our children at stake, how is it that only 25 states prohibit the use of cell phones by school bus drivers while carrying passengers. Forty-nine states do ban text messaging but only six consider it a violation worthy of primary enforcement. Do you understand what that means? In all but six states, it is just fine if your child’s school bus driver decides to send a little love note to his/her sweetie while carrying the most precious of cargoes!
Einstein’s genius is not needed to realize the weakness of some of these laws. I was unable to find accurate numbers on crash data collection for distracted driving because there is no uniform standard for reporting said data. Even so, the number of smashed cars being towed off of our streets and highways are proof that driving while talking and texting is dangerous.
Now, prepare yourself for a recent study by AAA. Are you ready? You need to sit down because what I am about to tell you is a real shocker.
AAA reported that two-thirds of dog owners surveyed reported driving while petting or playing with their pets on a regular basis. Seriously? AAA needed to do an actual survey?
Some people had the audacity to admit to feeding their dogs while wielding their way through traffic. The following is an exact quote from an article written by a nameless reporter: “It’s risky behavior for the driver and dangerous for the pets, too.”
No? Really? What about other drivers in the general vicinity? Are they not equally in danger? According to Motivation Design LLC, a company that manufacturers pet travel products, an 80-pound dog unrestrained during a crash at 30 mph exerts 2,400 pounds of force in a vehicle. That is a lot of hurt!
What is next – a study on how dangerous it is to apply mascara while speeding down the highway. I have poked my eye numerous times just standing in front of the bathroom mirror. The idea of applying makeup while behind the wheel makes me cringe. A woman has two choices as I see it: looking beautiful for her death mask or arriving alive, wearing sunglasses to hide the dark circles under her eyes.
I wonder how much money AAA spent on their pet related study. Whatever the amount, it was too much. Someone needs to fund the search for common sense. If common sense is found, Apple can devise an application whereby it is absorbed into the human body via an iPhone. Of course, that would be counterproductive for Apple. If people become more intelligent, they will stop texting and Apple and AT&T will lose money.
Cell phones are often referred to as smart phones. I guess only the users are stupid.
Donna Carbone is the Executive Director/Playwright in Residence at the Palm Beach Institute for the Entertainment Arts, where education through entertainment is the mission statement.
Please visit: pbinstituteforentertainmentarts.com