Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Lately, I have witnessed some wild driving from people behind the wheel of an automobile. This is more often the case, because these people are more concerned with what is going on inside their vehicle than they are driving it. When this happens the roads are no longer safe and an accident can become an innocent person's worst nightmare.

One of the reasons this is occurring more often is that drivers are engaged with conversation more than they are driving. Have you ever witnessed a car being driven by someone on a phone? The answer is very plain to see! Not only did I see it, I actually experienced it.

I was walking home from Starr's Mill High School and a person in a car, talking on a phone swerved off the road and onto the cart path in front of me! By the time the driver recovered, the vehicle missed me by less than 10 feet! This will get one's attention rather quickly.

I also have seen drivers miss several opportunities to merge into traffic but fail to do so because they were concentrating so hard on their conversation. The final result was slamming on their brakes while still in the outside lane attempting to make the turn. This almost caused a serious accident.

The only suggestion I can come up with is that the use of any type of phone while driving should be illegal unless it is an emergency situation. A car is an important tool and if used incorrectly an accident could occur! Let's make the roads safe for everybody.

Benjamin Shankle

Peachtree City

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