The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
When your commute becomes work
Recently I was stopped at a red light on Route 615 where cars were existing off the Route 2 freeway.
It was fascinating and scary to see the majority of drivers that were making their turns on to 615 while texting or looking down at their phone. I then looked to my right to see the driver next to me texting. Then I looked in my rear-view mirror and the driver behind me was showcasing an apparent text to her fellow passengers while they waited for the light to change.
I realized I was surrounded by vehicles operated by people who apparently had more important things to do than drive their cars responsibly.
Perhaps you have experienced a similar scenario. Seems like wherever I travel these days, the use of mobile devices while driving seems to be the norm versus the exception. And, consider how many people during rush hour are paying more attention to an incoming message on their phone rather than the traffic in front of them!
Beyond the mobile phone usage by commuters while driving their vehicles, there are a number of other potential hazards when attempting to get to work via the roadways. Here are several classifications of drivers to try to avoid that tend to increase the probability of a minor to fatal car accident:
• Gators — These are the drivers that for some reason believe that if they nearly attach themselves to the rear end of your vehicle they will somehow get to their destination faster. This occurs even in bumper to bumper traffic.
When I have a tailgater (Gator) behind me, I simply move over and allow them to merrily go on their way. Interestingly enough, they move up to the next car in the lane and repeat their madness. It reminds me of NASCAR drivers drafting off other cars in a race.
Once in a while a Gator, who has been on my tail for a minute or two, will pass me and let me know that I am No. 1 by waving to me using a particular hand gesture. This always brings a smile to my face as he/she must be thanking me for paying atten- tion to the speed limit.
• Makeup Artist — This person applies makeup, while looking in their rear-view mirror, and driving at the same time! My guess is that it takes years of practice to get really good at applying makeup in a vehicle moving between 60 and 80 miles per hour.
• Foodie — In addition to a few sips of coffee, this commuter seems to enjoy a bountiful meal during their drive to work. Whether it is fast food or something they prepared at home, the Foodie presumably has perfected the ability to gulp down breakfast, while travelling at high speeds without a mess on their clothes or in their car.
• The Talker — Easy to spot, the Talker usually has their head bent to one side, cradling their phone with their neck, and conducting, in many cases, a fully animated conversation. The driver’s arms can be seen moving around (not on the wheel) as he/she is evidently making an important point to the person on the other end of the line. I guess this is the Talker’s version of a using their mobile device “hands-free.”
• Multitasker — This driver combines two or more of the actions described above. I assume that the Multitasker is supremely confident that he/she has mastered some combination of texting, eating, talking on the phone and/or applying makeup while operating a motor vehi- cle.
Actually, none of this is funny.
It is amazing given the number of distracted drivers that more accidents don’t occur. Of course, the last thing anyone wants is an accident, especially one where someone gets injured. My assumption is that most people desire a job where the work is challenging. Hopefully we are not at a time in our lives when achieving a safe commute has become the biggest challenge of our work day.
It is amazing given the number of distracted drivers that more accidents don’t occur. Of course, the last thing anyone wants is an accident, especially one where someone gets injured. My assumption is that most people desire a job where the work is challenging. Hopefully we are not at a time in our lives when achieving a safe commute has become the biggest challenge of our work day.
Pat Perry is the president of ERC (www.yourERC.com), a Northeast Ohio-based human resources organization that assists companies with HR services, management training, compensation surveys, health insurance (www.ERChealth.com) and hosts the NorthCoast 99 program (www.NorthCoast99. org).