As I was driving home this afternoon, I witnessed a young lady texting while driving down Amnicola Highway. Like I always do, I laid on my horn to signal I disapproved of her actions. Did she even look up? Did she even stop texting? Did she even have concern for anyone else? Sadly, the answer is no. She did not care one bit that her "at risk" behavior increased critical exposure to myself and all the other drivers going toward downtown.
I would like to say I honked just once, but four times between Wilcox and the 3rd Street exit. This young lady did not even look up or at me. It is this type of "at risk" behavior that caused a recent jury judgment in the amount of over $3 million awarded to the victim.
Tennessee has a law about DWT, driving while texting, yet is not enforced. Nationwide, about 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year. I do not want to be the next victim of a distracted driver.
I now ask all those legal beagles and police personnel, what can I do? Can I run them off the road? Report their vehicle tag number? Call 911? (After I pull over of course!) How many more $3 million judgments, fatalities, and injuries need to happen before this is taken seriously? I am old enough to know when there were no mobile telephones or pagers, gas was 48 cents per gallon, and yet we survived. Very contently I might add.
I would like to say this only happened today, but no. I witness this daily. From average civilians, to professional personnel. So next time you see a black SUV honking at you, and you are 'txt n drvng', just know it is me.
Rene Anne Wood
A non distracted driver
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I agree with the writer regarding the texting issue. In fact, the outrage should extend to sticking a phone in your ear while driving. I hate to think about how many times I have come to an intersection without some disinterested person blows by yapping on the phone. It is especially irritating when I try to let someone onto Brainerd Road and they are oblivious to my kindness while talking to whomever.
That said, it bothers me just as much when a big black SUV gets one car length behind me at the speed limit flashing lights and blowing the horn. I think that is just as illegal as texters. If you are in a hurry, start earlier, okay?
From an old guy who learned defensive driving,
Mark Rudisill