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5/07/2009

Paying Attention

Here in Illinois, the news has been filled lately with the story of a woman who was killed on her motorcycle. She was stopped at a light, rear-ended, and thrown 100 feet. Killed instantly. The woman who hit her, allegedly was painting her fingernails while she was driving.

I see people, every morning on my way to work, reading books as they drive, or newspapers, or magazines.

I see them doing mascara, drying their hair, buffing fingernails or applying lipstick in the rear view mirror.

I see them drinking coffee and eating sandwiches and talking on the cell phone, all at the same time.

I do NOT want to preach. I want to beg. Please, when you drive, don't be one of those people.

The cost is way to high.

Ndinombethe.

26 comments:

Patsy said...

I must admit I am guilty of eating in the car while driving and talking on my cell phone while driving. But anytime I hear about one of these type accidents I take notice and am much better about not for a while then become complacient again. I'll try to do better -- oh, I never do them when I drive fast. Then I pay close attention to driving. Not a good trade off is it? hummmm

Myst_72 said...

Gosh.

I must be a goody goody.

I have never had a speeding ticket.
I won't answer my mobile phone when I'm driving.
Certainly no mascara application!

I guess knowing that I have attention 'issues' I make it a point be extra attentive when I'm driving.

There have been some terrible accidents here due to mobile phones.
One that comes to mind is a woman driving along the highway looking for her ringing phone (ringing somewhere in the car, she couldn't reach it)- she crossed lanes and caused a major accident - several people were killed.

Good post Lou,

G
xx

Unknown said...

Sad.

I always thought it was a ditzy thing, but I can't even talk on a cell and drive at the same time, let alone any of the things you mentioned - so I don't.

I know tons of people who multi-task during their commutes and I've always felt inadequate in the way that I can't text and take pictures and videos and still concentrate. Even taking a sip of a drink has me swerving, lol.

So yeah. You don't have to worry about me :)

Bama Cheryl said...

This incident was on the national ABC news last night. My ex-in-laws often said they saw people reading magazines or books while they drove. I never believed them but have seen it often now. We had five high school graduates killed two years ago a couple days after graduation because the driver was texting as she drove. At night. On a very busy two lane highway.

Pay attention to the primary task at hand. Good post!

Ashlie- Mommycosm said...

Oh, my - that's horrible!

I'm not quite that bad, but I do talk on the phone. I'm constantly reprimanding my husband when he texts me in route during the day.

Good reminder to pay attention. Thanks, Lou.

OHmommy said...

Oh gosh. THAT is so sad. Can you imagine?

Shadow said...

i hear stories like this tooooo often. i agree, when you drive, drive, and leave the other stuff 'til later!

moneythoughts said...

There ought to be a law. Then it will stop, if fines are heavy.

Maggie's Mind said...

Wow. Crazy. I'm not necessarily for outlawing every single thing because how can you, really? Driving while upset to the point of crying and being lost in thoughts or turning around to do something because of baby in the backseat can be just as distracting, or more so, than being on a cell phone while driving but paying attention. And that's the key. Do whatever it is you can still do while paying enough attention and while allowing your reflexes enough time to react immediately. Doing your nails seems over the top - hard enough to do them at home.

Emily/Randomability said...

I've been listening to WGN Radio while I work and it has been a big deal.

I try to not talk on the phone while driving, especially with my kids in the van. My call can wait until I get to where I'm going. I have looked at the paper, but ONLY at red lights, NEVER while driving. :)

Joyce-Anne said...

NY has a law about using a cell phone without a hands-free device. Yet, I still see people holding the phone to their ear talking away. Several years ago I heard that one of NJ's legislators wanted to make it illegal to eat while driving. I never heard whether it was signed and made a law.

Expat No. 3699 said...

Amen, Lou. It appalls me what I have seen people do while driving.

Unknown said...

And use your signals and rear view and side mirrors, mpf.....!

Tara R. said...

That is amazing... polishing her nails? So very sad.

Loraine said...

PAINTING her NAILS??!!
She'd better get jail time- that kind of stupidity should be illegal!

I rarely talk on the phone when I'm driving- emergencies only. But just the other day I saw a woman putting her mascara on- on the freeway, weaving out of her lane. And my kids have friends who text when they're driving!

Just when you think common sense can't get any less common...

Unknown said...

Patsy: No, it doesn't seem that good a trade off, at all.

Myst_72: Thank you, Gina. One I wish I didn't have to write.

Huckdoll: Good. One down and millions to go.

Bama Cheryl: Thank you, B.C. I see people reading all the time. It just makes me crazy.

Ashlie: You're welcome, Ashlie. I just want everyone to get home safe.

OHMmommy: Yes. I can imagine - which is why I posted this.

Shadow: Exactly. Cause someone could wind up late - real late.

Moneythoughts: I believe there ARE laws. They're just ignored.

Maggie's Mind: No. Don't do anything but drive - that's the whole point. Baby in the backseat crying - pull over and take care of things - then get back on the road.

Emily: And what happens when the light turns green and you're still in the paper?

Joyce-Anne: So does Chicago - but it's just in the city - the 'burbs are still unregulated in that regard.

Employee: Me, too, Linda.

NicoleB: Absolutely!!!

Tara R: And all too common.

Loraine: They are considering criminal charges.

Anonymous said...

I had a conversation with a very proper, always do the right thing, older woman & she said: I am so lucky that the few times my son drove drunk the Lord was watching out for him.

Are you kidding me? This is a woman who will point out short dresses & flipflops on others & Tsk Tsk.

I also see all the things you've mentioned & though I laugh when I see newspapers over someone's steering wheel being turned, it isn't really funny at all. ~Mary

Nan Sheppard said...

Yikes! I do cell phone while driving, but hardly any more now that I'm not on the road for 3-5 hours a day! I will be more careful, Lou.

Unknown said...

FrankandMary: No, mary, It's not. It's just dangerous.

Nan: Yes. Please. More careful.

Emily/Randomability said...

When the light turns green? I put it on the passenger seat. :)

Angela said...

I heard about that story and saw the crunched up motorcycle on the news. Very tragic!

Unknown said...

I really hope that woman gets prison time. Painting her nails!!!! Complete nonsense.

Sage Ravenwood said...

What a stupid assine excuse for the loss of life. My heart aches for the woman on the motorcycle. Common sense seems to be lacking all too often anymore. People need to remember a vehicle is a deadly weapon if handled wrong. (Hugs)Indigo

Holly said...

I agree. There are too many distractions in the car. I was in a crash because some people couldn't control their dog. I was in the hospital for three days. A friend of mine knows a woman who lost her teen daughter because another teen was texting on her cell phone. People need to concentrate on just driving.

Momisodes said...

That is so tragic. Painting her nails?

I couldn't agree more. Driving is such a dangerous mode of transportation, and so many take it for granted because they do it everyday. People need to pay attention to the road.

Kim said...

Painting her nails.. seriosly? ugh. I am guilty of talkin on the phone, or looking for something in the car..this just made me step back and think WTF was I doing? Thanks.. :)