Distractions interfere with courtesy, safety
by David Grace, Reporter

   With more cars on the roads these days, I find myself wondering what has gotten into drivers. It seems everyone is in such a hurry drivers forget how to do simple tasks, like how to drive.
   Sure, everyone likes to think of themselves as good drivers, but when people step into their cars, their common sense seems to fly right out of the window. Apparently, drivers are too distracted—talking on the phone, putting on makeup or even reading a newspaper.
   People spend so much time in their cars, some find it hard not to talk on the phone. Manufacturers offer a device that allows hands-free talking. It might be an extra cost, but where are a person’s hands when he is driving and talking on the phone? A Texas Department of Public Safety study says people driving while talking on the phone are almost 15 times more likely to be in an accident than a drunk driver.
   Weather can also play a significant role in bad driving. When weather conditions worsen, so do driving abilities. It should be common knowledge that if it hasn’t rained in a few weeks and starts to, the roads will become slick and more dangerous to drive on. However, when it starts to rain, people persist in speeding and driving like maniacs, swerving in and out of traffic as though it were a sunny day. Even if they don’t know that roads become increasingly slippery when wet, the visibility is not as good as on a clear day or even at night.
   Also, why is it that traffic slows almost to a standstill when a traffic accident occurs on the other side of the road?
   I am as guilty as everyone else when it comes to this. We slow down out of morbid curiosity. We want to see the outcome of a wreck, how bad the cars are and even how the people involved in the accident are. I can understand slowing down a little to glance over and see what is going on, but to sit in traffic for over 30 minutes when the wreck is on the other side of the road is outrageous.
   Another irritation is people afraid to pass a police car. Police should not instill fear in people, but rather help and protect the public. However, as people grow up, respect for police turns almost into a respectful fear. The most common reaction when seeing the police is to slam on breaks, even when going five miles an hour under the speed limit. A person slowing down instantly causes wrecks, which causes onlookers and even more frustrated drivers.
   Everyone should relax a little and slow down. I would much rather arrive safe and ticket free at my destination than late or not even arrive because of a wreck I’ve caused.