Today, our local association sent out an email with, among other things, links to Real Estate's 6 Most Dangerous Everyday Situations, written by Melissa Dittmann Tracey.   Now, these were all very common sense things that we all know to do - or not to do.

But, Melissa forgot the big one!

She forgot the huge one!

So what is it?

It's the car, stupid!  And I'm not talking about a car with a new buyer sitting in it, which is covered by Tip No. 6: "Transporting strangers in your car".

My friends, it's not the strangers in our cars that are a threat to us.  We are - probably more of - a threat to them!

So many Realtors I know are terrible drivers.  It's not that they are inherently maniacal behind the wheel.  But they multi-task like crazy - talking on their cell phones (and forget the hands free stuff), check their messages on their Blackberries, wolf down the Big Mac for lunch, and forget looking where they are going!  Instead their eyes are on the new For Sale sign that sprouted up on the front yard of the listing they thought they were getting.

Oops!

My problem with the article isn't that the advice is without merit.  It is important to use common sense at Opens and while showing houses.  But I think the focus is entirely misplaced.

I know many agents who have been involved in accidents caused by distracted drivers.  I know a few who I will not get into a car with when they are driving.   I don't know a single one, in over almost 30 years in the business, who has been put in any danger from a customer or client. 

So if you are really serious about keeping yourself safe on the job, you'll focus on the road while you are driving - not on your phone or your latest text message or your lunch.

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Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
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50 Comments on NAR's Realtor Safety Tips Forgot Safety Tip Number One!

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AUG
31
2010
148,835 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Pat -- I think the signs should be inside our cars. To remind ourselves since it's so hard not to be tempted. (And you make me feel so guilty.  But I'm honored you're still not afraid to get in my car--I'll try and prove more worthy of that in the future!)
1:59pm • #33
1 Featured Post

great post

i live in Los Angeles where it's a common occurence to see people swerving in and out of lanes whilst (great word isn't it... whilst?) texting or putting on makeup or reading the newspaper...

it's always fun to go past someone driving crazy and see them with a phone in their ear held with one hand trying to hide their actions

fun if i do get past them

cheers
2:59pm • #34
703,960 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I totally agree with your basic premise about driving with all of these distractions. I wrote a blog about people in general driving while texting or talking on cell phones in school zones but I got no comments. It is not just a real estate agent problem but a braoder problem we all nered to think about before some incent folks are killed!!!
4:11pm • #35
100,616 Points 6 Featured Posts

I think it's a universal problem, rather than a Realtor specific issue. Using the cell phone is a major distraction to everyone behind the wheels.

 

Jane Pacheco
5:21pm • #36
1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

While riding a motorcycle still has not been made practical for touring clients around to homes, it can eliminate a few other distractions that drivers are permitted to indulge in...radios, talking on the phone, talking to passengers, texting, eating, etc. I am still a bit shocked when motorcycle riders actually try to incorporate these technologies into their two-wheeled transportation.
5:27pm • #37
987,384 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pat - I completely agree with you, we are definitely the biggest threats.  I can't text sitting still let alone trying to do it while driving, but I know plenty of people do.
6:09pm • #38
1,910,827 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lenn, I'ver read so many posts on Active Rain by bloggers who are afraid of their prospects. 

Now, I could get hit over the head by some would be buyer visiting an Open House, but as an old friend of mine once said, "If your born to hand, you won't drown."
7:03pm • #39
115,916 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Pat-

Scary but true.  I have been very diligent with using my blue tooth in the car and I try so very hard not to look at my blackberry when I am at a light. It's hard but I think that we as agents think that we can multi task - which we can - but we should not be doing anything else while we are driving!!!
7:15pm • #40
535,910 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pat,

The current signs haven't seem to improve any one's driving.

Ritu's "Realtor on Board"would scare me! How would you like to have a paramedic see that and let you wait until after his coffee break? God forbid getting a paramedic that has had anything to do with a short sale! The insurance could be settled before you're removed from the car.

Bill

8>)

 
7:16pm • #41
217,718 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pat, have you ever driven in Massachusetts? It's not as bad as Maryland (sorry, but we lived there and were relieved to get back to the crazy Massachusetts drivers), but it still requires nerves of steel sometimes. I had a client from another state make a comment about my driving when I was showing her houses. It sounded like she was scared! That really made me think. After all, I certainly want a client to feel comfortable, SAFE, and at ease with me. It's hard to pay attention to where you're going, talk to the client, point out sites and houses, watch the road, etc. Never mind electronic devices, I know I won't add that to the mix. The next time I took her out, I made sure not to go even a bit over the speed limit. Kept my eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and slowed down. I think it made a big difference for her in terms of being able to relax.
7:21pm • #42
1,156,252 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pat I agree, being distracted behind the wheel is a trap many agents fall into.  Agents need to keep in mind by being distracted they not only endanger their life but that of others
7:53pm • #43
1,261,189 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Pat

How true; I know real estate agents that never look at the road.
8:21pm • #44

I especially do not use the phone when driving clients around.  I don't need a lawsuit or accident on my record.  Safety is key!
8:28pm • #45
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You are hilarious. OH and yeah, I just call them the realtor rules of the road. U-turns, the whole works.  Don't text and only use a Bluetooth when Driving now, but yep you are totally right!!
8:34pm • #46
974,629 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good post!  I am trying to do Oprah's challenge and keep the cell phone down and the learning tapes turned up!
8:56pm • #47
518,866 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is so true.  Multi-taking really doesn't belong on the road.
9:24pm • #48
1,910,827 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Heidi, good point!  a bunch of years ago (way before cell phones) a colleague caused an accident with clients in the car.  The wife was pregnant, and had had a really difficult time getting pregnant.  She and the baby were fine, but the poor agent was pretty speechless for the next several months.   I can only imagine that happening today as the result of a phone call.

10:48pm • #49
SEP
01
2010
1,351,812 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pat - This is a valid point.  Distracted driving is problematic though I also think there are other real concerns for us as well regarding safety.
2:01am • #50
8 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

We recently became a hand's free state so I went out and got the bluetooth and tried to be all legal.  The truth is, I hate the blue tooth and trying to use it was more distracting than just making a call ever was!  Since I really can't afford the $124 ticket, I just made a decision to go phone free in my car.  I keep it plugged in to the charger and I can see the screen well enough to tell who's calling.  If it's "important", I'll pull over and call them back but no more talking, texting or email checking in the car.

 
2:02am • #51
1,344,219 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is right on the mark! I know several agents that send text messages while driving in traffic!!!! It scares the hell out of me just to see it!
2:31pm • #52

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC , 20015

Office Phone: (202) 364-1700

Cell Phone: (202) 549-5167

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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