Out of Bounds

It happened again last night on the drive home: the car ahead of me in the fast lane drove for several seconds hanging well over the yellow line into the median. I could just make out the driver's form in what looked like "texting" posture. This is happening more often it seems: many drivers tend to treat lanes like driving suggestions. And this isn't occurring late on Saturday night, either. It's all the time. I don't recall seeing this as much in years past. What's going on, do you think?

Maybe it's just Boulder. I'd be interested in whether this is occurring more where you live as well. It just seems to me that, increasingly, drivers feel free to drive wherever and however they like--without respect to their fellow motorists. It strikes me as somewhat in-your-face post-modern: the radical, individualized self determining how it will drive. You can almost hear the driver protest: "Hey, it's a free world! I haven't hurt anyone." "Yet", I'd add.

I'm grateful Colorado today begins enforcing a no-texting while driving law. This applies to everyone. Also, beginning today, drivers ages 16-17 won't be allowed to speak on cell phones when driving either. I say make it drivers of all ages! And raise the fine: $50 for first offense/$100 after that seems almost laughable. Come on, folks, put some teeth in it.

Maybe I'm just too modernist...but I say you stay in your lane and I'll stay in mine. Rules of the road--or rules elsewhere, for that matter--are meant to ensure safety and provide order. I don't think that ever becomes passe.

2 comments:

John said...

in CA, it's against the law to talk on your cell phone without a headset. still, i see people doing it all the time.

Ann said...

In Europe, it is against the law to talk on the cell phone and drive - headset or no. The punishment is a large fine and suspended license. In the 2 years I lived there, I saw maybe a handful of people talk and drive.

In Slovakia it was also illegal to have any alcohol and drive. Punishment was jail time. Everyone took both of these laws very seriously....

Since we rode our bikes everywhere in Slovakia, I definitely felt safer. In wouldn't mind similar laws in the US, but I can't imagine they would go over with the public here.