Distracted Drivers

How many of us drive around and see distracted drivers? Are you a distracted driver? Ever reach for that smartphone and check you messages? How about just talk on the phone while driving? Today, was one of those days where I was almost hit 4 times by the same driver. To set the stage, I was driving down a major street in Chandler. For about 3 miles there was a Ford F250 driving next to me in my Smart car.

I first noticed the truck when he started to leave his far right lane and crossed over into my lane just in front of me. I thought that I was probably in his blind side, so I backed off a bit. Wasn’t about 500 yards and he did it again. We had to stop at the stop light, so we were side by side. Just after take off from the light, he again crossed over and forced me to move over to avoid being hit. I hit the horn to remind him that there are other drivers out there. I decided to stay back and watched him do it one more time. We rolled up to the next stop light. I decided that I would politely confront the situation. Rolling down my window and looking over at him like we needed to talk. He rolled his window down.

Here is how the conversation went…

Me: “How are you doing?”

Him: “Pretty good, I am on the phone was is up?”

Me: “It is about you and that phone call while driving. You are definitely struggling to do two things at once. I was almost hit 4 times as you were crossing halfway over to my lane.”

Him: “Really. I have not noticed.”

Me: “Not surprised. Well, it would be good if you decide to do only one of the items. Drive or pull over to finish your phone call. Please.”

Him: No words. Just a gesture of raising one finger up and point it my way while he is rolling the window up.

Me: “Have a nice day too!”

He sped off at the light and turned left at the next major cross road.

I figured it was something that I needed to do for me and my fellow un-distracted drivers. I know I am not perfect. I am sometimes a distracted driver. I have reached for my phone and taken a call. What helped today, was a great reminder that I need not become THAT person.

Please don’t be THAT driver!