YAKKING WHILE DRIVING IS OK...

...but, on a cell phone? Nooo-noo-no!

During a recent visit to The Partnership for Safe Driving, this article, "The Partnership for Safe Driving Thanks and Stands with the National Safety Council" caught my eye. The issue in question was... distracted driving and cell phones. Not surprisingly, they see a connection that we should all be aware of in the National Safety Council article, "Hands-Free Phones No Safer Than Handheld Phones."

The reason there is little difference in the amount of distraction is simple. We don't think with our hands.

"But.. how is that any different from talking with passengers?" one might ask.

Most aware passengers will consider traffic conditions before asking the driver to ponder a perplexing query. Their own safety is in the balance of your attention. Besides, no passenger wants to hear, "You're really distracting me from driving safely. Would you like to get out at the next bus stop?"

On the other hand, the person on the other end of the phone call is totally unaware of where you are, traffic-wise, and can provide distracting comments at the very worst moments.

PITHY PLATITUDES:

After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box. - Italian Proverb

But, if your playing chess through the mail,
or on the phone, after the pieces are put away,
the fate of one set is separate from the other.
-gridlocksmith

"Will traffic safety advocate for food."