Many of us simply don't understand the scope of this new animal we face. It's not that we don't KNOW about it, it's just that too many riders don't realize just how much of this is going on around us. Times are changing, and though most of us don't have this problem, way too many younger drivers do.
Cell phones... as wonderful as they are, the advent of texting and tweeting and etc. have gradually and irreversibly changed the risk we face on the roads each day. I have a smart phone, just like many of you guys. As we all know, there is a huge difference between simply talking on a cell phone and texting while driving. The average cell user sent 700 texts per month in 2012 vs. about 200 back in 2007 and only 35 in the year 2000. Times are a changing. I send and receive, I don't know, maybe 10 texts per day, non of which takes place while driving. But this is not the case with way too many drivers, especially the tech savvy younger generation. Many states have recognized this problem and are enacting new laws in an effort to curb this rapidly growing dilemma, but it appears that they are only achieving mixed results.
As a teacher, cell phones are a constant issue in my classes. Though students always set their phones to "vibrate," I can still hear them go off in many cases. I watch to see my little munchkins try every way imaginable to look at their phones without being caught. But just like too many drivers, when they're looking at their phones, they're not noticing what's going on around them while they're reading that text. And before they know it, I'm standing in front of their desk holding my hand out to request that they hand over the phone.
So I lecture, and I warn, and I am consistent with the consequences, but every day of the year I have to deal with it. I've often asked myself, "Why?" Why is this such a problem? Actually, the answer is quite simple, but few would guess that it could be so simple, as we ourselves have cell phones, but don't have this problem. Many of my kids, and many in the general population, are addicted to their cell phones. When that thing vibrates, they can't stand it. It doesn't matter if they're in class facing the teacher's consequences, or in traffic facing the danger of killing somebody. Most of my kids can't last more than about 15 seconds, even though they know they risk losing their phone or getting that dreaded teacher - phone call home. They MUST look to see who's texted them. I've watched this grow gradually worse for many years now. Texting was kind of rare years ago. But the last couple years, it's really taken off, seems like just about EVERY cell phone user has texting.
So with this in mind, there's a whole new level of danger on the roads each day, and I don't think it's going to change, laws or no laws. And even our bright headlights and flashing hyper-lights are no match for this new menace: the cager busy texting while driving.
Gary
darksider #44
