Last weekend while driving home from my kayaking adventure at Smithville lake with Joni, a woman who was texting almost broadsided my Rav-4. And keep in mind, it was broad daylight, sunny, and I had a 10' neon orange kayak on my car. I was a large, orange-glowing object. If she had use of her faculties, there's no way she could have missed me.
Two days ago, I was on the highway on my way to work in the morning, and a man coming up behind me in the adjacent lane suddenly surged into my lane, nearly broadsiding me again. He came from BEHIND me—again, if he were alert, there's no way he could have missed seeing me as he approached. I laid on my horn for about ten full seconds, but he CONTINUED into my lane rather than correct himself. His face never reacted. He was a zombie.
Then last night, I was almost home from the Squeaks & Beeps celebration, and was forced to stop before the intersection of Farley & 87th, as a cyclist had just been struck down by a car. Paramedics were just arriving, and swarmed the lifeless body in the middle of the street, working frantically. Cars couldn't get through, so there was nothing we could do but sit there and watch in horror as firemen, police, and EMTs tried to get control of the scene. The car involved was crumpled up like a tin can. I can't imagine how someone's body could have caused that kind of damage to a car—perhaps the car struck another object too? I'll never know how the accident happened. But what I know is that all these scenes left me sickened with the thought of what could have been, and my heart raced each time.
I think about the three times I have been hit by other drivers in the past two years: their fault each time. Rear-ended twice, and backed into once. I was invisible to all. And I feel like I might have targets painted all over my Rav that are visible to everyone but me!
I am not going to lie and say that I haven't texted while driving; and even if I'm not responding, it is always tempting to check email. We are all so BUSY. I am as addicted to my stupid phone as we all seem to be. It is a true addiction, and a horrible temptation.
I've noticed while sitting at home watching TV, that if I'm simultaneously checking texts, emails, or Facebook on my phone, I have to keep rewinding the TV show because minutes will pass—and I'll suddenly realize that I have absolutely no idea what's going on.
We all think we're good multi-taskers, and the bottom line is, we're all wrong. And given the three things that I've witnessed in just the past few days, I am going to make a concerted effort to focus, especially when I'm driving my car. Because I know how freaked out I was when I realized I was invisible to those other drivers, and contemplated the price we'd all have paid if I hadn't been alert. And I cannot even imagine the weight I'd feel if I had hurt someone else in my own invisible fog.
I'd like to challenge anyone reading this to join me. I understand the temptation, but the fact is, nothing on our phones is worth the risk. For those who are fortunate enough not to be tempted, thank you for helping others to adopt your behavior.
Two days ago, I was on the highway on my way to work in the morning, and a man coming up behind me in the adjacent lane suddenly surged into my lane, nearly broadsiding me again. He came from BEHIND me—again, if he were alert, there's no way he could have missed seeing me as he approached. I laid on my horn for about ten full seconds, but he CONTINUED into my lane rather than correct himself. His face never reacted. He was a zombie.
Then last night, I was almost home from the Squeaks & Beeps celebration, and was forced to stop before the intersection of Farley & 87th, as a cyclist had just been struck down by a car. Paramedics were just arriving, and swarmed the lifeless body in the middle of the street, working frantically. Cars couldn't get through, so there was nothing we could do but sit there and watch in horror as firemen, police, and EMTs tried to get control of the scene. The car involved was crumpled up like a tin can. I can't imagine how someone's body could have caused that kind of damage to a car—perhaps the car struck another object too? I'll never know how the accident happened. But what I know is that all these scenes left me sickened with the thought of what could have been, and my heart raced each time.
I think about the three times I have been hit by other drivers in the past two years: their fault each time. Rear-ended twice, and backed into once. I was invisible to all. And I feel like I might have targets painted all over my Rav that are visible to everyone but me!
I am not going to lie and say that I haven't texted while driving; and even if I'm not responding, it is always tempting to check email. We are all so BUSY. I am as addicted to my stupid phone as we all seem to be. It is a true addiction, and a horrible temptation.
I've noticed while sitting at home watching TV, that if I'm simultaneously checking texts, emails, or Facebook on my phone, I have to keep rewinding the TV show because minutes will pass—and I'll suddenly realize that I have absolutely no idea what's going on.
We all think we're good multi-taskers, and the bottom line is, we're all wrong. And given the three things that I've witnessed in just the past few days, I am going to make a concerted effort to focus, especially when I'm driving my car. Because I know how freaked out I was when I realized I was invisible to those other drivers, and contemplated the price we'd all have paid if I hadn't been alert. And I cannot even imagine the weight I'd feel if I had hurt someone else in my own invisible fog.
I'd like to challenge anyone reading this to join me. I understand the temptation, but the fact is, nothing on our phones is worth the risk. For those who are fortunate enough not to be tempted, thank you for helping others to adopt your behavior.
