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The snow has finally fallen in Wisconsin making it officially winter, in my
book. The snow brings joy to some and misery to others. Snowmobilers are
reveling in their new heaven while others feel the snow will just impede
their travel to work, and that it can do. Snow, sleet, rain, or any type of debris
is terrible to have on the roads. Another thing that is bad on the roads: someone
who is either texting and driving or just plain distracted.
Distracted driving has killed over 3,000 people just in 2012. Around
421,000 people were injured in vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.
10% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted
at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of
drivers who were distracted. I know some people think they are experts and
can text and drive with no problem. Or the new talk-and-text feature that allows
you to speak into the phone exactly what you want to say. But that is
not always as safe. Proofreading the text to make sure what you said matches
to what had been typed is just as dangerous as typing it. The average time
your eyes are off the road while creating a text is five seconds. When traveling
at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field
blindfolded.
I know what it feels like to think that you are invincable. I used to get
yelled at by my parents when I would answer their phone call while driving.
They would quickly say, thanks for letting us know you are okay but get off
the phone and promptly hang up. I was even in a distracted driving accident.
I went to turn the radio station in my car down when the car infront of my
stopped because the car infront of them was turning. I had no idea. I totalled
my car and did some damage to the person in front of me. The car in front
of me had a family with three kids inside. I was so terrified and worried. I
can't say that I have all together stopped being distracted while driving but
it is something I always think about. I try to stop on the side of the road to
read a text or take a call or make sure when I'm at a stop sign no one is behind
me so I can take time to be safe and be stopped while finishing whatever
it is.
This weather is no help to those driving and either are people who are distracted.
Eyes open. Be alert.