On the Phone and Driving Just Has to Stop, Now!

Seriously, people, please get off your cell phones while driving!

I am blown away by how many people I've seen just in the past two weeks, talking away with the phone at their ear or trying to slyly text at a stoplight when I know there is not anything that exciting to stare at on your lap (or that couldn't wait until later).

Just the other day as I was driving down Diablo, a guy in a black pickup truck almost hit a pedestrian as he turned left from Danville Boulevard onto Diablo (right by the clock tower), as he was busy chatting it up on his cell phone.

Nothing infuriates me more.

And even with the most sobering sign and lit candles at the intersection of Sycamore and Broadmoor to encourage us to slow down (as a memoriam to the woman and her mother killed a few weeks ago because of “speed,”) I can’t help but wonder when the next fatality will be because of adding speed to someone distracted by talking on the phone?

Yes, it’s enticing to look at the phone when that familiar “bing” ring lets you know someone has texted, but isn’t your life a little more important than the potential risk of death to you and perhaps others?

If you don’t have “Hands Free” options, either pull over or wait until you arrive. It’s not rocket science.

There are even arguments that state talking with the Bluetooth option is equally distracting but it makes me (and I’m sure others) feel a little better to know you have two hands on the wheel.

As I was walking to Starbuck’s on the corner of Crow Canyon and Camino Tassajara last Sunday morning, I stopped at the intersection and decided to count 20 cars to see how many were on their cell phones.

I thought I might catch a couple but couldn’t believe I counted 12. Twelve! Can you believe it? I don’t think people were calling their pastors to let them know they’d be late for church that morning. In fact, at the rate in which these people were going, the appointment that will be more probable is one in which they will go directly to meet their maker.

I’ve been writing this column for two years now and most of the time, my style is to point out the positive and end on a happy note but really, it’s a plea to please put the phone down before you have an accident that will make a negative impact on yours and potentially many others’ lives.

Nothing is so important that you must take or make that call while driving.

And I am the first tech-junkie to admit the minute I reach my destination; I want to text whoever texted me and I love to talk and text, in general.

But again, please save texting for when you aren’t behind the wheel driving!

This message has been brought to you by someone very, very worried for the people of Danville (and everywhere) if the texting-while-driving doesn’t stop.

Soon.