Off the Cuff

[#1]

They drove by me one after the other, their eyes glazed over and minds oblivious to what was around them. They hadn’t noticed me yet and then… then… sorry, my husband just sent me a text message and well, I forgot what I was doing… I mean what I was saying.

I don’t know about you, but it seems like the number of distracted drivers—or Living Dead, as I like to call them—is increasing faster than we can say epidemic. During my eight-mile roundtrip drive to and from work, I’ve seen the Living Dead do more random acts behind the wheel than I can believe. Sure, there are the talkers and texters, but it’s the morning shavers, eyebrow pluckers, and master minds who can read a newspaper and drive at the same time that make me scratch my head and stare in awe. Like in zombie movies, this epidemic is spreading fast and while I do everything in my power to live in the now and focus on driving, I can’t help but be distracted by the distracters.

Not to complain, but it’s hard enough trying to stay alive on my own without having to dip and dodge a distracted driver as they update their Facebook status and steer with their knee. That’s my story and now I would like to read about some of your encounters with the Living Dead motorists in your town. What are some things you’ve seen a distracted driver do that made your jaw drop and caused the accidental swallowing of a fly?

[#2]

I'm so glad that you wrote about this. My husband always drives with his knee...and it drives me crazy.  I've been nagging him, but now I'm going to show him your blog to try and get him to change his ways!

[#3]

I know! That drives me crazy too and scares me at the same time. Thanks for your feedback and hope this blog helps.

Jess

[#4]

You're right - it's scary out there! Yesterday saw a woman driving and reading her Kindle. Must have been a spellbinding story!

[#5]

I often see women putting on their makeup while driving.  Lipstick doesn't bother me, but when they start putting on their mascara while gazing in the the mirrow, I start to get a little worried . . .

[#6]

The only time putting makeup on is appropriate is if you're stopped at a stoplight.  Then you're actually using your time well and not endangering anyone.  Otherwise, in order to make sure your makeup makes it to its intended destination, you'd have to take your eyes off the road and that spells disaster.

[#7]

I still don't get how people can drive with pets on their laps!  That seems even more dangerous than the makeup issue.  At least with makeup you can stop what you're doing, or drop the lipstick, or throw it on another seat while you attend to the road.  But with a dog....

[#8]

i don't understand how people can try to read and drive...besides, now that we have audio books, there really isn't any excuse for such behavior....but if i am driving with a friend or family member, i do love to have them read to me...

[#9]

I agree with all of you, and driving with a pet in your lap is very dangerous. My grandfather drives with his dog in his lap and it's so scary, especially since he has one hand on the wheel and the other holding the dog. As for the makeup, it's worth the extra five minutes to put it on at home. Plus, car lighting is horrible.

[#10]

so true about car lighting  

[#11]

On a related matter, can't drivers be distracted by the video screens that so many people have in their cars now?  I guess they're not up in the front of the car, but can't they also distract other drivers?  Speaking for myself, I'm distracted when I see one of those screens and I find myself trying to figure out what movie they're watching!  Is anyone else bothered by them?

[#12]

As someone who's crazy about movies, I agree with scout11.  I often inch up to the back of another car to see what movie they're watching.  Some day I'm going to end up bumping into someone if I'm not careful! And I don't think the police will accept my excuse that the other car caused my distracted driving!

[#13]

Iti's so funny that you should say that, because I do the same thing!  I always want to know what movie they are watching, and sometimes I'll speed up to try to figure it out. . .

[#14]

I'm a movie buff too, but movies in cars give me a headache. Too much movement for me, but I can't lie, I try to figure out the movie too.

[#15]

I count on movies in the car to sedate my kids for long car rides, but it hadn't occurred to me that it was distracting for other drivers. But now that you mention it, lit screens in other cars have drawn my eye several times on the road. I've also seen drivers put on makeup, shave, tweeze, etc., along with checking what were clearly printouts from work, eating a meal out of a bowl (with a utensil), talking on the phone, painting her nails, and once saw someone glue gunning some sort of craft project while she was at a light. Scary. As for pets, I have them in the car all the time but they're either haltered into their seats in the case of big dogs, or in small kennel carriers. It is not only distracting and dangerous to drive with a pet on your lap, but god forbid that you're in an accident or have to stop suddenly, because that animal will take the full brunt of impact.!

[#16]

You are so right, petgirl. I was never a fan of vehicle harnesses for dogs until I was driving on I-4, in the rain and had to stop abruptly so I didn't hit the vehicle in front of me. My dog, whose about 65lbs., flew from the back seat and into the dash between the front seats. I was scared, my dog was freaked (she was fine though), and after that I bought safety harnesses for both my dogs. They work great and my dogs still get to hang their heads out the window and drool all over the sides of my car. In case anyone is interested, AAA members get 15% off pet safety harnesses online with Furry Travelers.

[#17]

Thanks for the tip about the discount.  I'm glad your dog didn't get hurt in the scenario you described. You've provided yet another reason to use pet harnesses.

[#18]

My mother drives with her dog on her lap all the time -- I'll have to tell her about this!

[#19]

Wow, all these comments make me nervous. It does amaze me how dumb people can be when they are controlling this ton of steel and could so easily hurt each other. I've thought of that sometimes when I'm driving, imagining that we are putting our lives in each other's hands and so much of driving is about trusting that the other driver will do the right thing and stick to the road rules. So thank goodness for road rules. And on that note, thank goodness for clear road signs. Has anyone had the experience of almost being in an accident because a driver was confused about exits and such? I lived in Virginia for a time and noticed there were a lot of exit only lanes that suddenly dumped people out off the highway and if they weren't paying attention they would try to back track and re-enter the highway. Really!

[#20]

"AAA members get 15% off pet safety harnesses online with Furry Travelers" I did not know that! That is awesome. I have a web site for my petsitting business and should mention that on it. I'm thinking of all the money I could have saved if I'd known...I am a HUGE advocate of safely securing pets in the car, whether in carriers or with harnesses, for their safety and for others'. And while I'm on the topic, we all know how much dogs love sticking their heads out the window on car rides, but do be aware that they can sustain injuries to their eyes from flying dirt and debris from the roads. Safety goggles are now made for dogs for just this purpose! Now all they need is the white scarf for the whole Amelia Earhart look! lol

[#21]

I'm curious, petgirl, about your petsitting business.  How does that work? Do you use a local ad or Craig's List? And do you handle the same pets on a regular basis or do you just handle special weekends or weeks when the owners are away? Are you paid by the hour or for the job? It sounds like fun and a good way to get exercise. Oh - and is it mostly dogs or all sorts of pets?

[#22]

I commute over 30 miles each way to work by highway and it is sometimes horrifying and sometimes funny to see the shenannigans that people pull in their cars.  How about the guys driving while slumped so far over you'd think they were asleep?  I'd swear that they can't see over the dashboard!  Seeing people texting drives me nuts.  It's so dangerous.   Seeing the business guys reading files or the newspaper is bad too.   Watching two teens dancing to the music in a car in front of me was funny until they almost hit another car.    

Didn't Snoopy have the whole dashing pilot thing going for him, too? What a trend setter....  :-)

[#23]

I mostly get business by gradual word of mouth, kind of like baby sitting. If you think about it, someone's pet is like their child - they're not going to want to call up a stranger from a yellow page ad and trust them with their baby. So although I have a web site it's really just to give local people info, and it's a cool venue to post pictures of the pets and blog funny stories and pet advice and so forth. When I visit people's homes, I get paid by the visit. When I have people's dogs board with me, I charge a flat fee per day. Mostly I take care of dogs except for clients with cats who need insulin at certain times or are recovering from surgery or whatnot. I have a handful of dogs I walk regularly during the day because their people work long days and the dogs really need pee breaks! Otherwise, the bulk of my business is regular clients' vacations or business trips when they can't take their pets.

[#24]

Thanks for the feedback, petgirl. That makes sense about advertising via word of mouth. And thanks for all the details about how you handle different situations. You've given me some good ideas to pursue although you sound like you have way more experience with the nitty gritty than I do. But I could certainly handle the pet walking and petsitting. Thanks again.