Distracted Driving: Busted

I believe when you get three similar nudges from the universe, someone's trying to send you a message. Today's third sign for me was seeing the term "distracted driving" pop up as the number one search phrase on Yahoo's home page. This week I've been pondering distracted driving, because I've been the victim and the perpetrator on that front.

I was the victim when a driver swerved into my lane while I was riding my motorcycle. I didn't crash because I was able to avert her car. But, when I looked over, she was holding a cell phone and looking at it. She didn't even know she'd sent me careening over to the other lane -- she was too distracted. I've been complaining to my husband lately about what I see car drivers doing while I'm on my motorcycle. They put on make up, adjust their car stereos, hold their cell phones to their ears or in front of them. It's not like driving the streets and freeways of Los Angeles isn't tricky enough, now all these yahoos have decided to make driving a hobby instead of their primary responsibility when they're behind the wheel.

Holding a phone while driving is now illegal in my home state of California. There's a good reason for that. The California State Automobile Association says that between 4,000 and 8,000 crashes occur every day related to distracted driving.The use of cell phones is a big part of what constitutes distracted driving.

So, the exact same day I was complaining to my husband about seeing people using cell phones in cars, I got pulled over for doing just that. That's what you call karma, baby! I was driving down Hollywood Way in Burbank, California and the temptation came. My mother-in-law called. I thought, well I haven't talked to her in a long time. I'll just keep her on speaker phone and hold the thing with one hand and it'll be fine. Well it wasn't so fine with the Burbank motorcycle police officer watching me. He pulled me over. But, he did tell me the citation wouldn't cost me any points on my license.

What? I thought to myself. I ought to be jailed, because I'm the person I have to watch out for all the time when I'm on my motorcycle. Well, apparently the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, thinks I ought to be severely punished as well. He told a group attending a two-day summit on distracted driving that this week he's announcing new federal crack downs on distracted drivers. That's the reason the topic has hit number one on Yahoo's search list.
We're all afraid of distracted drivers, and the distracted drivers are us.
One thing riding my Ducati motorcycle has taught me is that Italians make great bikes. But the other thing it taught me is that not paying attention to what I'm doing at every moment while driving can have grave consequences. On a motorcycle there's no temptation to fiddle with the stereo, talk on a cell phone, or yell at your kids in the back. It's only you, the vehicle and the road.
For me, the third time's the charm. In three days I've complained about being the victim of distracted driving, I've been ticketed for being a distracted driver and I've seen that lots of Yahoo users are searching the topic. I've now searched my soul and decided to put my cell phone away for good while I'm in the car.

Here's the joke I made up to remind myself:

What do you call a cell phone ringing in the car?
Hell's bells.

It's a temptation to leave my cell phone on and out when I'm on the road. But I'm not going to take the bait. I've had my three signs from the universe, which I consider warnings. I'm now going to listen and act responsibly before I get into some serious trouble.

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Comments

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

Next we need to do something about the guys with the 30 ton behemoths with the huge blind spot who sometimes change lanes while you're passing them because they're checking for Smokies on the CB. My wife thought we were going to die a couple of years ago on the Ohio Turnpike. I got a good chance to test my skill and passed. We did pull over at the next exit to chill. An Electra-Glide can handle the 2" tall arched wake-up bumps at 80 M.P.H. pretty well.

[Lorraine Roe - Huffpost Blogger]

Agree about some of the big rig driving and go Electra-Glide!

[Paradym]

All I can say is excellent. As a long-time rider (25 years), I have witnessed the roads becoming increasingly dangerous. Not that they were ever safe, but it's reached a level that boggles the mind. Driving has become a chore, not a skill set to master and be prideful of. And cell phones have been a huge contributor.

Part of the problem is law enforcement. It's easier and more profitable to sit behind a bush with a radar gun and pop drivers going 8 mph over the speed limit on an open stretch of road than to cruise traffic and find those that are creating hazards - unsignaled and erratic lanes changes, distracted driving, tailgating, etc. It appears law enforcement's goal isn't public safety but revenue generation.

You learned a lesson without injury (save for your wallet). Make sure you fiercely spread the message to those around you.

Anyway, off soapbox. We've "chatted" before here. I'm glad you're still safe and upright on your Duc, and perhaps when I get back out to SoCal we can see if your Italian beauty takes to my British gent (Triumph Daytona 675). I know the SoCal roads very well and can't wait to do a little riding down memory lane! And maybe a few spins at Willow Springs...

Keep the rubber side down (and an occasional knee puck)!

[Lorraine Roe - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, it really is eye-opening when you get such a good look from a motorcycle at what car drivers are doing. I agree, more patrols would help and so would more self-discipline by drivers. Here's to your safe experienced Triumphant riding. Maybe Angeles Crest will re-open (sadly closed after the recent fires) and we can take a spin.