Stay focused
The motor vehicle rule concerning the use of cell phones or other devices while driving has been in effect for awhile now. However, here in Lake County I still see many drivers talking on the phone while driving. On Tuesday morning near Lakeport at the 4-way stop at South Main Street and Hwy 175 at about 8:30, a woman with a pink cell phone traveling south, first car at the sign, was oblivious to the traffic around her as she held up several cars behind her fooling with her mobile device. I watched in the rearview mirror as several cycles of cars in the other three directions stopped and made their turns, while the woman sat there in her car/minivan not moving, not aware of her surroundings.
Unfortunately, I notice similar behavior in a seemingly increasing amount as I travel around the city and county roads. I believe these distracted drivers are putting all other drivers on the road at an increased risk from their selfish need to be connected instead of paying attention to the responsibility of piloting a 2-ton vehicle on the public thoroughfare.
Perhaps given the low traffic volume on our rural roads it seems okay to these drivers to disregard the no cell phone law, but I think the danger is real. I am generally a live and let live, do unto others kind of guy, but I am inclined more and more to start honking my horn at these persons to bring attention to their lack of attention, and frankly, to try to get their attention.
I know there is a downside to this kind of behavior, so firstly I will urge parents to talk to their children and remind them of the great responsibility of operating a motor vehicle. I will also urge children to remind their parents about the danger to others when they act irresponsibly with their devices.
I am not calling for a cadre of citizen nannies to police the roads, but if you hear a horn honking and see a guy pointing at a distracted driver, it might be me trying to do my part to bring a little awareness to this ongoing problem.
In closing and in the same vein, I would also like to remind my fellow drivers to please turn on your headlights when you operate your windshield wipers so as to be more visible in low light conditions. This has also been the law for quite awhile now. Thanks for listening.
Keith Kirsch, Lakeport
