Maple & Main

Hang Up and Drive

Posted by Curt Otto on Feb. 17, 2010 | 5 comments

Writer’s note: I wrote this blog a few weeks ago and debated posting it, but something changed my mind. I was one of four cars at a light yesterday, and when it changed to green, no one moved. The guy ahead of me was on the phone, the guy next to him was on the phone, and the guy next to me was sending a text message.This is getting silly…

Like everyone else in the world, I have a cell phone.

And honestly, I am one of those people that can’t leave the house without it- but I’ll plead my case as to why.

For starters, I do not have a land line in my home. My cell phone is my only means of communication for business and personal conversation.

I also receive email on my phone. I can schedule class times for my business via the phone and that can be a real asset when I am away from the office.

I use it as a calendar as well, scheduling city meetings and personal appointments. There is a setting on the phone that reminds me of these appointments in advance, and I find that to be quite handy sometimes.

My cell phone has been fastened to my hip for 15 years now, and I become more and more attached to it as time goes on.

Throughout this time I have tried to make a conscious effort to limit my cell phone usage while driving. I will be the first to admit that I sometimes talk on the phone while driving and (I am ashamed to admit) I have sent text messages as well. I have noticed that when I do this, I tend to pay less attention to the road and more attention the conversation.

But I also have my good points regarding cell phone usage. In public places, I set my ringer on vibrate as to avoid disturbing others around me. I won’t talk on the phone in restaurants without excusing myself away from the table. I also try to avoid sending text messages while in the company of others, unless necessary.

Sorry, I’m not perfect.

But today, that all changed- and I have the lady in the little blue car to thank.

Maybe she reads this blog, or maybe she is too busy yakkin’ on the phone to pay any attention, but lady, if you’re out there- you have done a public service today, and the world will be a better place for it.

You see, I was behind this woman on my way into town, and I noticed she was driving erratically. First traveling under the posted speed limit, then over, then under again, and weaving across the center line on occasion- not unlike a driver under the influence.

We stopped at a light, and when it turned green, we sat there, me behind her, until it dawned on her that the light had changed. As a matter of fact, I missed the turn arrow because of it.

So at my first opportunity I passed her, and as I did, I noticed she was talking on the phone.

It was at that very moment that I decided that I never wanted to be like this woman, so unaware of her surroundings that she is a hazard to drive near, so wrapped up in a conversation that she is a danger to others, so oblivious to traffic that she could cause an accident.

So, as of this day, I am going to try to put down the phone while driving and pay attention to the road.

I have plenty else to do while I’m driving anyway, like play with the radio, or adjust my ipod, or set my navigation system, or eat donuts. Maybe I’ll even take up smoking while I drive! It’s so handy to just throw the butts out the window!

As I see it, not talking on the phone will free up a lot of my time.

All kidding aside, I was watching CNN the other day and there was a story about a guy who was distracted by his cell phone and drove off a bridge. As the car sank into the river below, the man pulled out a gun and shot out the window so he could swim to safety.

The reporter went on to complement the man’s quick thinking in the situation.

Are you kidding me?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t this situation have been avoided if this guy would have been paying attention to the road and not to his phone?

What if instead of going off the bridge, he crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a school bus full of kids? Or a car full of nuns? Or a boy scout helping an old lady across the street?  Or an eagle?

And let’s think for a moment about the events that follow such an accident… the rescue effort, the salvage of the automobile, and the fuel and chemicals that spilled into the waterway.

What about the fish? Bad enough that the car could have landed on them, but they also could have been shot by this guy while he was trying to escape!

O.K. the last one is a stretch, but I think you get my point.

Rumor has it that the day of talking on the phone while driving is coming to an end. Legislation is being passed to mandate the use of hands-free talking devices while driving so we can all look like we are chatting to ourselves behind the wheel.

I like that feature because it makes me feel better when someone catches me singing in the car (which I never do). I simply pass it off as a hands-free cellular conversation.

In the end, I am glad that I had the interaction with the blue car lady today. She has clearly demonstrated what a fool I have been all these years while talking on the phone and driving. And how my inattentive driving has been a danger to others. And how stupid I look babbling on while I drive down the street.

Thanks, ma’am… you really…

Oops, gotta go, I have to take this call…