Dangerous Behavior
A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine was upset because her auto insurance rates were increased due to her ‘bad habit’. I learned that some auto insurance companies penalize smokers by increasing their policy rate because it is considered high risk behavior. To some degree, I understand this, but what I have noticed in the past few weeks is much more dangerous on the road than smoking while driving – cell phone users. Big deal right? It’s common to see people talking on phones while driving this is not new. But when the culprit is an 18-wheeler on I-10, that’s a different story.
This past weekend while driving along the highway, I noticed a couple of 18-wheelers crossing dangerously over, or close to the line of other lanes. When I safely passed these massive steel monsters traveling 70 mph+, the operator was on the phone. This is not safe under any circumstances. Are they beyond stupid? Do they not realize that they are NOT driving safely?
Here around Katy, I have seen UPS drivers, contractors (plumbers, electricians, etc) and even a private day care van driver talking on the phone – WITH CHILDREN IN THE VAN. This is unacceptable behavior. How would you feel if your child was on that van? It also had me wondering if the owners of these various companies knew their employees were putting the public at risk by chatting on the phone while driving. Is it that much of a hassle to pull over and contact your next client? What is so important that can’t wait?
Hopefully one day there will be a law outlawing the use of telephones while driving, and employees will be penalized for putting a company’s liability at risk. Maybe the employers don’t realize this can be a HUGE liability if their employee does cause an accident, or worse, an unforeseen death. And smokers are penalized? Please. A cigarette is not as much of a distraction as a cell phone. Do you see people staring at their cigarette while they are driving? Are they always taking their eyes off the road when smoking? Do they talk to their cigarettes? Do they have to drive with one hand off the steering wheel? No, no, no and no.
I am a cell phone user, but I like to say I am a ‘courteous cell phone user’. It’s the same as a ‘courteous smoker’ – one who does not smoke around other people who don’t smoke. I don’t talk on the phone in my car. I don’t have loud obnoxious conversations in public places, and I certainly won’t drive with children in my car, with a cell phone shoved in my ear. All it will take is more and more tragedies to occur before the insurance companies re-think their smokers policy and include cell phone use. Maybe one day we will be safer on the road when a law is passed prohibiting cell phone use while driving. If not the common driver, but at least the big rig operators… what ever happened to the CB radio?
More on dangerous driving behaviors:
Cell Phone Use While Driving Ups Crash Risk
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I have to admit I am totally guilty. My old company bans using phones while driving. I have been thinking about springing for a blue tooth headset… but that webMD article isn’t helping my case. I guess it has something to do with your mental alertness, not the used hand. With email and texting options on phones, this is only going to get worse.