AAA Colorado ~ EnCompass Magazine

Commentary

What not to be doing while driving

AAA is gearing up to pay special attention to the critical issue of distracted driving in 2007. The September/October Commentary reported that a AAA national survey (which included AAA Colorado members) found distracted driving to be the number one safety concern of AAA members, both nationally and in Colorado.

That same Commentary requested any "horror" stories about distracted driving you might have witnessed on the road. Following are two representative responses.

Breakfast, anyone?

Laura Spinder of Lakewood wrote:

"In our hectic world of rush-hour traffic, driving straight into the sun each morning on my way to work, I thought I'd seen it all. Women using their rear-view mirrors to put on eye shadow and mascara; men using their electric razors and shaving while driving; people all around me talking on their cell phones and even text-messaging as they go from 65 miles per hour to a jarring stop to gawk at the car pulled over on the side of the road. All have become commonplace."

She has seen drivers zipping down the interstate reading a map spread out over the steering wheel. She has seen people eating burgers, sandwiches, bagels and doughnuts. She's seen them drinking bottled water, soft drinks and hot coffee. But what she saw on a recent morning commute really takes the cake…or something like that.

"I saw a man eating a bowl of cereal. A bowl of cereal! From where I was sitting, trying to get my car around him on the left, it looked like a bowl of Cheerios — milk and all! With the bowl in one hand, spoon in the other, he was using his elbow to steer as he drifted first left, then right, with each satisfying bite. "Nerves on end, I finally managed to get around him and put a little distance between us. My heart was pounding."

New distractions

As if there aren't enough distractions in the world already, another reader, Rob Wignall of Parker, wrote to tell us he's discovered a new one.

"If this isn't a horror story, I don't know what is. I was in Ultimate Electronics, purchasing a new car stereo, and to my shock and horror, I saw that some manufacturers are now making in-dash DVD players, complete with a small color monitor, that go right where your existing car stereo is.

"As if cell phone usage, eating, personal grooming, etc., while driving isn't bad enough, now we're going to have people watching movies while they're behind the wheel!"

His conclusion: "This type of device should be outlawed before it is ever allowed to reach popularity."

Do you have your own horror story about distracted drivers? If so, send it to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or email editor@colorado.aaa.com. Responses become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.