Cell-phone oblivion
Today I stopped at a four-way intersection equipped with four stop signs. I was the only one at the intersection; however, an SUV was coming toward me in the opposite direction. It was about 40 feet from the intersection. Needing to make a left turn, I flipped my signal switch to indicate my desired direction and pulled forward.
There I was in the middle of the intersection about to make the turn when the SUV pulled away from its stop directly into my path. I applied the brakes and looked at the driver as she drove past me with that modern apparatus known as a cell phone applied to her right cheek. She never looked my way to see that “Have you lost your mind?!” look I was giving her.
I don’t know who she was and I am not attempting a personal attack here. But people need to realize the level of distraction that using a cell phone while driving creates.
When I parked just down the road I got out to find that my signal lights were in working order. After my stop I made it home without further incident. I hope this lady makes it home, too. And tonight I hope she has sweet dreams with no visions of cell phones and hospital beds dancing in her head.
James Trimm
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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