DWD — Driving While Distracted

USAToday.com is running a story today on legislation that lawmakers are trying to get passed to limit the electronic gadgets that drivers can play with while driving. This is all well and good, but, frankly, doesn’t address any real problem.

Sure, drivers are distracted. I see it all the time. People yammer away on their cell phones, fiddle with their lap top computers, watch TV or DVDs, and argue with their GPS. Sure, the laws being considered might curb that kind of activity. But, it doesn’t address the nimrods out there who are reading the newspaper while eating a bowl of cereal (with milk!) with a spoon, all while hurtling down the highway at 20MPH over the limit. Am I the only person who sees this as just as much of a threat as the latest electronic gizmo in the car?

The root of the trouble, though, is not the gadgets. It’s not even the book or newspaper or bowl of cereal. It’s our society. We Americans are so focused on clawing our way to the top, as if being there is going to make us happier people. And, Americans just don’t seem to give a crap who they step on, maim, or even kill to get there.

People need to get over themselves. You people who are coming out the door, already on the cell phone, get a clue. The world will not come to an end if that conversation doesn’t occur until you actually get to the office. Running late? Pick up the phone in the kitchen, and call the office. They’ll get by. But, no. Everyone must be so important that the office can’t do without input every second of the day.

And, by the way: If you find yourself running chronically late, get a clue. If you get up earlier you can actually get out the door in time to get to work on time. Heck, you might even find that you can do it without having to drive as if you’re Mario Andretti. You’re not Mario Andretti, BTW. The reality is, you’re not really a good enough driver to even be in the car as a passenger! But, that’s another story.

And, turn the damned stereo down, while you’re at it. It’s not enough to be able to see what’s going on around you. You  have to be able to hear, too. The guy in the other lane isn’t honking his horn at you for his health. Actually, he is. ‘Cause you weren’t paying any attention, and just about ran into him. But, maybe you didn’t see him, because you were turning the pages of the Post, or your latest “How I Clawed My Way To The Top” motivational book.

Ah, who am I kidding? More than likely, myself. This country’s turned into a zoo, led by a chimpanzee from Texas who’s bananas are bought by the big companies who make the toys that are taking over the front seats and dashboards of our cars, and causing the made rush, claw to the top, road-rage-ridden morning and evening migration that sucks our time, burns our gas and erodes the quality of our lives.

No wonder so many people are depressed.