Time for a discussion on the subject of distracted driving.
As you know if you read this column regularly (thank you all), I am an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Riding my small Harley (is that an oxymoron?) some 200 miles a week mostly on two lane roads in Allegan County provides one with a lot of wind screen time.
Motorcycles are inherently dangerous, no getting around it; in a clash with another vehicle the bike loses every time. Any rider with basic intelligence is hyper-vigilant at all times, never assuming the other vehicle will follow the law. There are bold bikers and old bikers but no old, bold bikers.
As you ride a motorcycle you notice the seeming large number of vehicles that are all over the road, weaving over the lines a good bit and driving at various speeds. Looking at the operator of the vehicle you clearly see they are using an electronic communications device of some sort, a truly dangerous thing to do.
When I encounter one of these folks I do not pass them; who knows when they will go over the line again? I find a cross street and get out of their way. The problem is the sheer number of these dangerous folks on the road and the percent of increase every year.
After being diagnosed with advanced aggressive prostrate cancer, I read that exercise and diet could help in the fight, so with the companionship of my wife and neighbors we took to walking two miles per day three times per week. I eliminated red meat and most sugar from the diet and cut down on salt. In discussing this with my oncologist, she said though an outstanding thing for overall health, it will not help hold off the spread of my type of cancer; well, it sure can’t hurt to stay with it.
Walking one mile up and one mile back on our walks on a two-lane road places you close to passing vehicles and gives you a good view of the operator’s actions. I started to note the percent of drivers with something in their hands and came up with the unscientific number of 30 percent distracted drivers. Some fail to see us even with a hi-visibility vest and flashing red light.
The good news is that advancements in vehicle engineering make them safer for the drivers and passengers in an automobile, however not much safer for a biker or pedestrian with the number of distracted drivers on the road.
Well we have identified the problem; now it is time for a solution, but sadly I can think of none. Folks walking into a water fountain because they are staring transfixed to an electronic communication device, or walking into a hole dug in the ground or into traffic are too common. Many if not most new cell/smart phones and automobiles have a hands-free communications ability, but apparently few choose to use it.
Perhaps we need to have a national program similar to the one we had way back in the last century to get folks to use seat belts? A heads up display similar to the displays we see on military aircraft? A warning signal that activates when a hand-held device is used when the vehicle is moving?
One fact is that law enforcement can’t fix this, it is just to large a social problem. Any attempt to deny folks the ability to text and drive will fail as people will pay good money (as they did to override the seat belt safeties in the 1960s, even today) to defeat the safeties. Texting and driving are ingrained into two generations of Americans; any attempted solution must be one that allows folks to text and drive or it will fail.
Drive down the road and notice all the distracted driving (truckers as well) while looking down at their phones or whatever. They are also driving 80 mph plus, 2 driving violations. Where are the state police or the captain, Jimmy John’s? How about the fast (left) lane issue? Drivers who commute between Kalamazoo and G.R. are totally in the left lane while passing no one, no one! Another policing failure. What about this captain? Do something, we are paying you. Do we all to lose loved ones to these hazards before anything happens?
Mr. Mike Williams,
Sir, thanks for the comment. A social change is needed to fix this, it is just to wide spread for law-enforcement. If 30% are texting or gaming or using hand held devices in some way we need
to change the culture, punishment will not stop it, education/social pressure just might.
I agree with you entirely! Where does it start, legislature? My son lived in Ca. and at that time it was hands free only but you are still distracted. What is so important that you can’t wait until you’re parked? BTW, thanks for this important topic to discuss.
My youngest sibling lives in NoCal and got ticketed 4 years ago when an officer saw her holding her phone having a conversation at a stop light. $300 dollars later she decided it was worth her while to put in a hands free device that attached to her visor.
Now all their family cars are newer with bluetooth connectivity and there is no reason to take eyes off the road.
Trouble is we have a odd idea of freedoms in MI when it comes to driving and freedom. Many same folks who want to do away with unlimited coverage under MI no fault voted to make helmets for motorcycle riders over 21 optional. As a rider you know one aw crap by yourself or another driver that doesn’t kill you could wipe your family out financially if long term care was needed.
Good luck trying to convince our state legislators to pass laws making it illegal to use a phone without hands free equipment.
They are too wrapped up in the Personal Freedom campaign tag line to put their state salaries and per diem on the line.
Mr Couchman,
In Michigan it is $100. for the first offense and $200. after that and zero points. Not much of a deterrent.