Driving

Note: Before reading My Thoughts, please read My Disclaimer!

In the past, I've been more guilty than most people of doing other things while driving. I've changed my mind, and not because of any accident or near-miss that I've had. Many people (typically while talking on cell phones) have almost caused (or have actually caused) an accident near me.

Driving should be taken more seriously. It only takes a split-second of distraction or carelessness to cause an accident and potentially kill someone -- maybe even yourself. No cell phone call is more important than your life. If you must be reached immediately, pull over the car and call the person back.

Vehicle accidents continue to be one of the biggest killers in the U. S., far more than almost all of the big-name diseases that scare us so much. Almost all car accidents are preventable, if we'd just pay attention and let others know what we're doing by using turn / lane change signals. Oh, yeah, and being a little patient by waiting your turn and not cutting people off would be a good idea, too.

Make simple little choices to steer clear of distracted driving. Take care of tasks before you leave your parking spot or wait until you are stopped at a stoplight to:

• Change the CD in your car stereo
• Eat a bite of the snack you brought along
• Adjust your mirrors
• Answer/make a cell phone call
• Root around under/behind the seat for something
• Check your map/directions
• Fix your hair or make-up
• Check on the kid in the back seat
• Get that chunk of something out of your teeth

How does that expression go?  "The life you save may be your own." Something like that...

Also, have you noticed that the bigger cause of traffic jams is not the minor car accident, but instead it's the "rubberneckers" who have slowed down to look over the scene? Trust me: every car accident looks pretty much the same - twisted metal and people standing around talking to police officers. Keep driving! Maybe we'll get home before it is time to leave again!