Spectre of distracted driving worries commuters, pedestrians
Drivers texting or fumbling with their phones has put many on edge, commuters near South Station told the Herald. Some admitted they look at texts, but only at red lights.
“As a pedestrian, I look to make sure the driver can see me. I can see his eyes and he can see mine,” said financial analyst Rodney Click, 61, of Cambridge.
As for his own driving habits, “I just pull over when I need directions. If someone calls, I don't answer it.”
Pam Knight, 57, a stay-at-home mom from the North End, said she sees distracted drivers “all the time. People texting, people suddenly swerving a little.
“I make sure not to be on my phone. I'm too busy trying to figure out where the roads go and pay attention to traffic,” she said of her own driving.
Luke Worlock, 26, of South Boston, who works in sales, said he looks at his phone while driving “at a stop sign ... but not ever when I'm actually driving.”
Tech worker Brian Yi, 29, of Jamaica Plain, said everybody should be worried.
“I'd say there's an equal concern between pedestrians and drivers. They need to pay attention to each other when it comes to being on smartphones. It's a two-way street,” he said, adding he backs wearing a seat belt.
Caroline Kingsley, 22, of South Boston, said she pays close attention to the road while driving.
“I was in a car crash so I know it can happen ... I pay such close attention now,” she said. As for seat belts, “I think they're really important,” she added.
College students from Ireland Simon O’Rourke, 21, and Evonne O’Farrell, also 21, said distracted drivers keep them on their toes.
“They just veer onto your lane and stuff like that,” O'Rourke said.
Wearing a seat belt, O'Farrell added, is the right thing to “set the example for kids.”