Bulletin Column

A pickup truck slammed into Colfax Computer Services early Saturday morning.

The driver allegedly had been drinking.

Nearly every conversation about the wreck included something like “I’m glad nobody was hurt.”

Drunk driving carries a heavy stigma.

In 1982, about 60 percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related. By 2011, alcohol related fatalities had dropped to 38 percent.

Times have changed, but dangers still abound on the highways. These new dangers do not carry the same social stigma as drunk driving, but one thing hasn’t changed: a fatality is a still fatality.

Inattentive driving is one of these dangers.

Drivers dialing and talking on phones poise a danger to themselves and others. They can be as dangerous as drunk drivers. Phone calls seriously impede the driver’s attention and reaction time. Even handless technology can contribute to inattentive driving. Phone conversations distract drivers regardless of the technology.

Texting is a danger, too. Texting takes the driver’s mind, vision and attention off the road. The number of accidents and fatalities is growing as a result of this practice.

Still, it is not unusual to see a driver looking down to text. It is not uncommon to see drivers on cell phones.

Driving while drunk may seem more heinous than a simple phone call or short text. Yet, a death is still a death regardless of the reasons.

When phoning or texting while driving comes up in conversation, just say “I am glad nobody got hurt.” It may help to change the perception about these practices.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher