Who Are They Talking To?

You’ve seen them, and started noticing them increasingly often.  You may even be one of them (and I make no excuse for offending if you are).  You have probably shouted at them from your car and you almost certainly see the occasional news item about how dangerous their actions are.  I’m talking about young and middle aged women talking on the phone while ferrying their offspring to whatever playdate, shopping or other activity they are late for.

Okay, okay, I know that men also talk on cell phones while driving but I’m not seeing the same frequency of serial chatters there.  I’m also not seeing the same erratic driving from men on cell phones, but let’s leave that aspect out of this discussion.  Point is, women appear to be the most frequent offenders and also most frequently have innocent lives at risk – their young passengers.

It’s got to the point where you can read their vehicle’s body language and know as you pull close to them that you are in the presence of a woman whose cell phone addiction is a danger to those around her.  Then you look over and… yes, she’s on the phone!

Consider these facts:

• Distraction from cell phone use while driving (including hands free) increases a driver’s reaction as much as a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (University of Utah)
• The No.1 source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device. (Virginia Tech /NHTSA)
• Drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Driving while distracted is a factor in 25% of police reported crashes.
• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)

Frequently the worst offenders are driving large SUVs, next most popular vehicle being a minivan.  The vehicle is provably wandering around the lane it’s supposed to be in and changes lanes without warning (you can’t indicate and use a phone at the same time.)  Some women slow down when they are on the phone, but that often accentuates their erratic movements.  Others move along the road fast, oblivious to others and obviously late for some appointment or other. Note to all busy moms out there – plan your day better and be realistic about getting ready and travel times!  There’s no need to take your lateness out on the rest of us.

Every time I see one of these women I wonder who they are talking to and what they are talking about?  The options are too numerous to consider here, but the only valid reason I know to be on a cell phone while driving for any extended period is when you are on your way to the emergency room and are talking to them about your impending arrival.  There is no other reason you should put any life in danger.  Deciding where to meet for coffee or where to go out for dinner should not be done on the open road.  Period.

So, if you are one of these women, and I’m sure you’ll let me know that you are not a danger to anyone else because you are perfectly capable of driving and talking at the same time, please stop it.  Sure, I don’t want you risking my kids, but I also don’t want you to have a tragedy on your hands – and when driving any vehicle we should ALL remember that tragedy is closer than we ever want to think.