There I was, happily gliding down Highway 95 with not a car in sight for miles in either direction. I had my mind on that cute puppy that I was on my way to pick up in Baker City, Oregon. Who would ever think that a highway patrolman would take the time to go down that desolate road to find a speeding driver...certainly not me! That was until I saw him going the opposite direction from me and then do a U turn! Oh well...after 30 years, I supposed it was time.
I was granted the opportunity to take a driving class to take it off my record which I eagerly accepted. (I had to laugh - the person I spoke with to set up the online class asked where I had gotten the ticket. I told her it was Malheur County. She said she just wanted to be sure because no one ever gets tickets in Malheur County!)
I started taking the class this week. This isn't one of your "Comedy Club" type classes. This one means business. They track how fast you are scrolling to be sure you are reading the material. They have algorithms to be sure you are the one taking the class. More importantly, I am learning something! Most impactful are all of the videos about texting or being on the phone while driving. I am absolutely guilty of this...my favorite place is at stop lights.
For instance, a young girl is driving down the one lane highway with friends and texting as she goes...letting her mom know she is running late. Sadly, she veers into oncoming traffic. In the video, both cars stop and the drivers get out. The woman in the other car says "Can't you see me and get back to your lane in time?" The young girl says "I can't react fast enough." The woman looks back at her car and responds "But I have my 3 children in the car with me." The young girl, with tears in her eyes says "I am so sorry.". They both turn, go back to their cars and get in, closing the doors as they do. Then time comes back to normal, the cars speed towards each other and the rest is left to the imagination.
I won't text again while driving. Period. I might just kill a young girl with her friends or a young mother with her children. I hope you will take this to heart the next time you are tempted to pick up your phone.
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