Commentary 8-11-16

Put that phone down
Any mom, dad, or grandparent with a minivan or SUV can tell you what’s happening next week – it’s back to school time. The carefree summer days of sleeping in are over and the more frantic morning routine of waking early and fighting traffic on the way to school are back again.
As a father of two young kids I want to remind all drivers out there it’s time to put down our cell phones while driving and pay close attention to the road. I’m certainly no saint. I too am guilty of looking at my phone while driving. However since my kids began charging me a $1 fine (and collecting) my ‘screen time’ violations have gone way down. Plus my mom gave me a great tip – as soon as you get in the car, put your phone in the glove compartment and forget about it.
I bring this up because it’s been over two years since Sue Hufford, 53 and her mother-in-law Sharon Hufford, 74, were killed in a horrific accident on Highway 12 at Farmer’s Lane where texting and distracted driving played a significant role. The young driver of a big pickup truck behind the Hufford vehicle apparently looked down at his phone for a few seconds and failed to slow down. Sue’s husband Jay looked in his rear view mirror in horror and braced for impact. In a moment Sue and Sharon were gone. Sue was an outstanding music teacher for the Mark West Union School District, a wife and a mother of three.
We’ve all seen the public service announcements and highway signs reminding us to put our phones down. So what can you do? I spoke with a sheriff deputy the other day and asked him about guidelines for using any kind of device while driving. Here’s what he told me:
1. If you absolutely have to be on the phone you’re only allowed to wear a headphone or earbud in one ear. And he suggests the right ear. An officer can pull you over for probable cause if he sees an earbud in your left ear but can’t see the right one. They can and will write you a ticket.
2. Since most of us with kids usually drive in 15 minute spurts, try putting the phone away completely while driving. Listen to the radio.  If you hear a text or a phone call – let it go until you arrive at your destination. It can wait.
3. Be a defensive driver. Take a look at people at red lights or those driving slowly. We’ve all seen them with their head on a swivel. Looking down at their phone and then popping up to see the road. Back down and back up. This is who we’re sharing the road with. Be on guard. Accidents where phones and texting are involved have increased dramatically in recent years.
Windsor and northern Santa Rosa are amazing places to live. We have glorious weather, lots of open space, and relatively affordable housing. With that we have a ton of kids and many, many schools. (10 public schools in Windsor and Mark West alone!). Don’t we owe it to our kids to be vigilant on the road and get them to school, soccer practice or the supermarket safely?
If our kids are now distracted with Pokemon Go while walking and adults behind the wheel are distracted by texting or Facebook, then it’s just a matter of time before something tragic happens.
So the next time you’re driving – put away your phone, put on some classic rock and enjoy the ride.