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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Look who’s talking while driving
By Wanda Orton
Contributor Published August 31, 2009 The good news is that a Texas law, effective Sept. 1, will ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones in school zones. Drivers will be allowed to use hand-free phones and they can talk on hand-held cells when their vehicles are stopped within a school zone.
The bad news is that legislators failed to pass a law to prohibit all drivers everywhere, all the time, from using hand-held cell phones. Such a law, in my opinion, should be in effect nationwide, worldwide.
Make believe this scenario involving Mel, who talks to his girlfriend, Mary, while he is driving and holding a cell phone to his ear, steering, hearing, veering in heavy traffic.
Mel’s car lightly strikes the rear of the car ahead, no harm done, but the other driver responds. He waves at Mel, indicating an unfriendly message.
Mel: “Well, you don’t have to be rude!”
Mary: “Who are you calling rude?”
Mel: “No, honey, I didn’t mean you. It was another driver, got all bent out of shape because he stopped in front of me at the red light and I wasn’t watching. No big deal.”
Mary: “Maybe we should get off the phone now. You have to drive.”
Mel: “Nah, I’ll be OK. Traffic doesn’t get to me. I can handle it. Heck, I could drive holding cell phones against both ears.”
Mary: “Not a good idea. Seriously, don’t you think you should get one of those hands-free things? They're a lot safer.”
Mel: “Dang it, you’re crazy, insane! … Excuse me, not you, a guy just drove right in front me making a left turn.
Mary: “Bye.”
Mel: “No, don’t hang up. I wanted to ask you about something. My coffee maker went on the blink this morning and I need to buy a new one. What kind do you use? Your coffee is always so good …. Oh no! … Holy … ”
Mary: "Are you all right, Mel?"
No answer.
Let’s leave the ending to this to one's imagination because any number of things could happen. Mel could be on his way to ER. Delirious from head injuries, he may rave on about Michael Jackson's kids, claiming he's the baby daddy of one of them. No, all three. Then again he may think he’s the computer Hal on "Space Odyssey 2001." In yet another life, he believes he’s a cartoon character named Buzz Braveheart fighting on a bloody battle in ye olde Scotland.
And there is the possibility that Mel is rational, remembers who he is and everything about the accident, including the fact his car hit a utility pole as he held a cell phone to his ear. While not seriously injured, he has one heck of a hematoma looming over one of his ears, and we know which one.
In the real world now, a reminder to all drivers, cell phones or no: Be super cautious as schools open for business again.
You have to watch out for kids because they don't always remember to stop, look and listen. Like drivers holding cell phones, youngsters are easily distracted.
And while you’re at it, watch out for drivers like Mel. They’re for real.
Wanda Orton is a retired managing editor of The Baytown Sun.
Contributor Published August 31, 2009 The good news is that a Texas law, effective Sept. 1, will ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones in school zones. Drivers will be allowed to use hand-free phones and they can talk on hand-held cells when their vehicles are stopped within a school zone.
The bad news is that legislators failed to pass a law to prohibit all drivers everywhere, all the time, from using hand-held cell phones. Such a law, in my opinion, should be in effect nationwide, worldwide.
Make believe this scenario involving Mel, who talks to his girlfriend, Mary, while he is driving and holding a cell phone to his ear, steering, hearing, veering in heavy traffic.
Mel’s car lightly strikes the rear of the car ahead, no harm done, but the other driver responds. He waves at Mel, indicating an unfriendly message.
Mel: “Well, you don’t have to be rude!”
Mary: “Who are you calling rude?”
Mel: “No, honey, I didn’t mean you. It was another driver, got all bent out of shape because he stopped in front of me at the red light and I wasn’t watching. No big deal.”
Mary: “Maybe we should get off the phone now. You have to drive.”
Mel: “Nah, I’ll be OK. Traffic doesn’t get to me. I can handle it. Heck, I could drive holding cell phones against both ears.”
Mary: “Not a good idea. Seriously, don’t you think you should get one of those hands-free things? They're a lot safer.”
Mel: “Dang it, you’re crazy, insane! … Excuse me, not you, a guy just drove right in front me making a left turn.
Mary: “Bye.”
Mel: “No, don’t hang up. I wanted to ask you about something. My coffee maker went on the blink this morning and I need to buy a new one. What kind do you use? Your coffee is always so good …. Oh no! … Holy … ”
Mary: "Are you all right, Mel?"
No answer.
Let’s leave the ending to this to one's imagination because any number of things could happen. Mel could be on his way to ER. Delirious from head injuries, he may rave on about Michael Jackson's kids, claiming he's the baby daddy of one of them. No, all three. Then again he may think he’s the computer Hal on "Space Odyssey 2001." In yet another life, he believes he’s a cartoon character named Buzz Braveheart fighting on a bloody battle in ye olde Scotland.
And there is the possibility that Mel is rational, remembers who he is and everything about the accident, including the fact his car hit a utility pole as he held a cell phone to his ear. While not seriously injured, he has one heck of a hematoma looming over one of his ears, and we know which one.
In the real world now, a reminder to all drivers, cell phones or no: Be super cautious as schools open for business again.
You have to watch out for kids because they don't always remember to stop, look and listen. Like drivers holding cell phones, youngsters are easily distracted.
And while you’re at it, watch out for drivers like Mel. They’re for real.
Wanda Orton is a retired managing editor of The Baytown Sun.