Distracted driving a danger for everyone
Re Heads up, distracted drivers, Jan. 9 I am all for eliminating distracted driving, as I have seen its effects first-hand. However, it seems the lawmakers are drawing false causation in their new approach. Since texting and smartphones have come on the market, distracted driving and collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians have increased.
The article cites the statistic that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to crash. Where is the data regarding other forms of “distracted” driving?
People have been drinking coffee while driving and eating take-out fries for decades, yet the numbers only went up with the advent and popularity of texting.
So, under the new rules, will all drive-through lanes be shut down? Car manufacturers will have to stop installing music systems; even hands-free conversations are under scrutiny, as they may distract the driver.
I am really looking forward to my next long road trip, not talking to any passengers, driving in silence, with no sips of water or coffee, no snacks, never taking my eyes off the road or having any thoughts not directly related to my driving. What about the monotony of heavy traffic, staring at the back of the vehicle in front? Heaven forbid I should have music playing to keep me alert. What if I get caught glancing down at my dashboard speedometer to make sure I’m not over the limit?
Mike Thomas, Milton
Recently, as I stood waiting at a bus stop at Warden and Lawrence for approximately 10 minutes, I counted five and another possible two drivers using their cellphones as they drove by or waited for the light to change. One was driving a tractor trailer, making a right turn with his cell phone in his left hand, in plain view. I think a few plainclothes police officers rotating at different major intersections in the GTA would make a dent (excuse the pun) in the needed and overdue crackdown on distracted drivers. When I boarded the bus, I was just stunned by what I had just witnessed and told the bus driver. He laughed and said I should see what happens from his point of view. It will be interesting seeing the ticket stats soon to be coming in.
Jim Barrett, Toronto