Please don't text and drive

I don't think any kind of cellphone use while driving is acceptable. Just pull over somewhere and talk. But texting is even worse! I've counted people driving eastward through the US78/Wisteria/Skyland Drive intersection, and usually, out of 10 drivers, about 7 are talking on their cellphone.

A couple days ago, a young driver was behind me at the light, talking on her cellphone and eating. All I could do is pray, "Please Lord, let her pay attention when the light turns green!" I can be a defensive driver in most situations, but when they're behind you, sometimes there isn't a thing you can do. I'm glad to be older and have good insurance though!

It's interesting that when surveyed, most people think its okay for them to use a cell phone while driving, because they think they are so good they can do both...but the same people don't want other people to use cell phone and drive.

So here's a guy from Snellville who totaled his car because he was texting. He's lucky he didn't total himself or take someone's life. He's sorry he hit a car that had the engine in the back, so by tail ending the other driver, it caused $25,000 damage. But someone's life is worth more than $25K, it's priceless.

That's a very expensive text message, but the lesson is invaluable.

What do you think should be done about texting and driving? Should it be left up to the driver, or should we have laws about it? Some people think the law wouldn't do any good in deterring people from this behavior, it would be an after-the-fact punishment. What do you think?

Texting, driving not compatible
Red and Black
Omar Lewis, a junior from Snellville, totaled his car a few months ago. "I was driving and texting, going like 45 miles per hour," he said. ...

Links:
How do I get a GA driver's license?
If you steal a cell phone, set it to vibrate
Pilots say T-Mobile cell phone tower not safe

It's time to take the brick off the gas pedal

On North Road, there is a lighted sign up to remind drivers that the Speed Limit is 30. The sign also says to Buckle Up, It's the Law.

This sign is serving as a reminder, and you can bet there will be a crack-down on speeders on North Road in coming weeks, so watch your speed there.

Since the sign's on North Road, I wish they would add scrolling instructions for how to navigate a 4-way stop. I also think the time has come to have street lights at some of the cross roads of North Road, since people have so much trouble with 4-way stops (seems simple enough to me, but it seems to baffle a lot of folks - maybe if they put the cell phone down and paid attention it would help.)

But I often think that our air quality could be better if there weren't so many 4-way stop intersections with so much traffic. Imagine all those cars starting and stopping in 4 directions, if your house was nearby. If my house was there, I'd never open the windoww of my house - we'd all be killed by carbon monoxide poisoning!