March 1, 2012
by Christopher Dotson
By Christopher Dotson
For readers who are following this series, here’s the fourth and final installment of the article entitled, “Pushing the limits: SMART-Phone, DUMB-Driver”. Here are the earlier installments: Part 1 , Part 2 , and Part 3.
Auto-Related Fatalities: An All-Time Low But . . .
In the April 2011 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed the number of traffic-related fatalities in 2010 was the lowest since 1949. They cite a variety of factors which contributed to this improvement, such as increased awareness about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, improvements in vehicle manufacturing and an increase in auto safety features – All may have contributed to the drop.
At the same time cell phone restrictions are taking effect, auto fatalities and injuries have been reduced, last year reaching an all-time low per miles traveled. Of course, cell phone purchases remained on the rise.
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February 29, 2012
by Christopher Dotson
Editor: This is Part 3 in this series. Here is Part 1 and Part 2.
In-Car Distractions: A Debate Worth Having
By Christopher Dotson
It’s no longer simply about “Hang up and drive”, which I have always considered to be an ill-thought mentality. In retrospect, perhaps the sentiment was only ill-timed. But it’s a debate worth commencing now.
We’re doing far more these days while driving than simply “talking on the phone”. The unlucky person who has learned “the hard way” knows, and this unfortunate person will spend the remainder of their lifetime wishing things had turned out (even a little) differently.
In truth, regarding my own near-miss, if things had turned out -even a little – differently, this article may have been written from a hospital bed, or never written. And as I am writing this today, I remember consoling and counseling a young neighbor (we were both young, then) named Ricky after he had just run down and killed a homeless man– of course, this was long before technology could be cited or held accountable for such a tragedy about to unfold.
Ricky appeared at my doorway one night, after dropping his girlfriend off for work. Still wearing a “lost”, far and away expression, he needed someone to listen, as he recounted the horrors of running over the unseen man, who had been crossing underneath the dark, night time bridge, beneath the 405 freeway. He was reliving the moment, still fresh in his mind, and he began to exorcise the demon which invaded his thoughts and consciousness. His sorrow was heavier than ever I’ve known in another.
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