Reply #5: Yes, it is

[question everything]

Several weeks ago I posted a story about a driver in Orange County, CA, where there are very wide bike lane, killed a cyclist and injured a companion. The driver apparently was reaching into his glove compartment.. That post generated a heated debate about drivers vs. cyclists, never mind that we are talking about a machine of thousands of pounds vs. a human flesh.

These days, when drivers' minds are occupied by million tasks except driving we need to remind drivers that driving should occupy their full attention. No, it is not like brushing one's teeth where - most of us, at least - just do this by rot, not really concentrating on what we are doing but planning our day ahead or just listening to the radio.

It is not just changing channels on the radio or gabbing on the phone or trying to control the kids in the back seat. It is thinking of other things.

So, yes, driving is a privilege that should be taken seriously by drivers, or they should lose that privilege.

(You did not think you'd hit a hot button with me on this, right?)