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LATEST LETTERS

Driving

Friday, January 19 at 6:04 PM

DRIVING IS AS PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT! No matter how much carnage talking and driving creates, people still think it is within their capability to do so safely (the same mentality as that of a drunk driver). It is difficult to regulate a potentially dangerous behavior pattern that has becomes an entitlement to the masses. Even the legislature is hesitant in their efforts to control it as they too have become entitled.
One of the biggest safety issues in the flying profession is listening to communications while operating a high performance machine. Training in this area is ongoing. I do not know where these drivers get their training but I would not feel safe while driving in heavy traffic and trying to communicate on the phone.
Driving is a privilege, not a right so let us regulate the conditions. Here are a few starting steps.
1. Drive in the right lane (same requirement as slow driving) and hang up when changing lanes. This allows all distracted drivers to play bumper car among themselves.
2. Park & Talk 3. We are now compiling statistics on talking and accidents. Instead of bigger fines make the penalty for second offenses the same as DUI and highly publicize the rules.
4. There is a simple test to determine one’s ability to multi-task. If you have an accident you must take the test if you wish to continue to talk and drive.
If you took the test and found you were really suffering from delusions of adequacy and you could not safely drive and talk, would you hang up and save the children? Probably not!
Jim Reid
Denver

This letter has not been edited.

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