Translate

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Distracted again? 01.20.16


            On the 19th day of January, 2016, I, Donald R. Ford was returning home from the local trim shop, also known as a hair stylist, in the olden days it was the barber shop.
Before we get to any comments about the main topic of this soon to be, well written and almost perfect blog posting, I feel the need to share a brief comment.
            At the trim shop this morning, a female person with scissors and hair clippers ask me how I want my hair cut. I explained that when she finished I wanted to look smarter, younger and richer! This person replied, “I can’t do that”, I can make you look better! I then said, I would settle for better if that is all she could do.
            Now back to the subject of this, “exceptional journalistic endeavor”.
            After leaving the trim shop, I ventured to the Star Bucks for a cup of coffee. The coffee was free, due to a Christmas gift card for Star Bucks. I was pleasantly surprised that there was only one car in front of me in the drive through.
            Tall coffee in hand, I began my return trip home. I drove past the Do it Best building and again noticed the very small state and federal flags that are flown at the building. Yes, I know they say size doesn’t matter (like heck it don’t) but putting a 3 foot flag at the top of a 30 foot pole just doesn’t say I am proud of my state or my country. It does say, “I am cheap”!
            Passing the DIB building I was stopped at the traffic light for a short time. I took a sip of my hot coffee and the light changed. I, not being in a hurry, moved away from the light, somewhat slower than the traffic to the left side of me, that is when I first noticed a vehicle that was being driven illegally, “displaying a handicapped placard by hanging it from the mirror of a vehicle, that is being driven”.
I also caught a quick glance in my mirror of the driver, a female subject who appeared to be using a cell phone while driving.
            In the olden days, a female subject driving with a short skirt, provided a major distraction for most male drivers. Not true anymore!
What? I knew it, you feel it would not be fun reading this if you couldn’t interrupt me! Ok I will explain for this one person! It is not true due to three reasons. First, fewer ladies where skirts, and fewer yet have short skirts. Second, vehicles are designed smaller which restricts the viewing area. Third, those darn tented windows.
Distraction over, let’s get back to my story.
There was something else that caught my attention about the female driver that just passed me. I wasn’t sure, but the quick glance caused me to believe that she might be an older female, who was using the cell phone.
I accelerated a little and eventually caught up to the vehicle. I could see this little, old, gray haired lady, with one hand on the steering wheel and one on the cell phone.
To help you understand what I saw, when I say little, this little old lady driving her black Toyota, was not big enough to see over the steering wheel, she appeared to be looking through the steering wheel. I would estimate her to be at least 80 years old, which might indicate her reflexes could be slowed. She had one hand on the steering wheel and one on the cell phone and her mouth was moving, indicating that she was either talking, or chewing tobacco.  
You talk about distracted driving, I was being distracted by this senior female, illegally displaying her handicapped placard, using a cell phone, mouth moving, looking through the steering wheel of her vehicle!

May your driving be focused on the road, not other drivers!

Don Ford

No comments: