Driving Me Cellular

Cell phones. They’re marvels, aren’t they? With hardly any effort, people can reach you, or you can reach them, anytime, anywhere. The only exception being when you are standing inside a school. Any school building. Anywhere. Whatever was used to construct schools, most of them being at least 30+ years old, is impervious to cell phone signals. Sure your phone will ring if you are inside a school, but you will not be able to hear anything that is said except for “......need.....missing.....can’t.....emergency...” or something like that.

As a mom, cell phones are my friends. They allow me to reach my children wherever they go, or, they can reach me wherever I am. They are a safety net, of sorts, that give me a false sense of security. Still, I depend on them like a limb or like my car where my cell phone sits ready and waiting. Herein lies the problem. Cell phones and cars shouldn’t be mixed.

I’m not really one to preach here. From time to time, I do use my cell phone in my car, but I try to make it a rare occurrence. However, the women around my neighborhood seem to think it’s a rite of passage along with toilet training their children and teaching them to ride a bike. First they have babies. Then they get a giant stroller. Then they get a giant SUV. Then they start driving. Then they get on their cell phones. It’s as if the car won’t operate unless the cell phone has been dialed. Who are they talking to...CONSTANTLY?

If you are one of these women, you know who you are. I can spot you from a mile behind because you are not really paying attention to anything that you are doing. You’re driving around as if you’re lost. You change lanes on a whim – sometimes two or three at a time! You cut across parking lots with little regard to others and you RARELY use your turn signal. Probably because you only have one free hand, thanks to the cute little wireless thingy you’re holding to your ear.

I’m not a huge fan of Bluetooth earpieces or hands-free devices, but this is where they should be used. Not in airports or coffee shops so that those around you think you’re talking to yourself. Not in restaurants so that your dining companions know that they’ll probably get more of your attention if they call you rather than talk to you across the table. Hands-free is for driving, so that you can properly operate that 4 ton gas guzzler safely. Try it.

Oh, and I can’t begin a discussion of cell phones without making a suggestion: If you’re making or receiving a cell phone call and you’re in public, step outside or speak softly. There is nothing....NOTHING more annoying than people that believe that the world is their phone booth. The only time that I would be interested in what someone is saying into a cell phone is if it went something like this: “Hi, I’m with the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Prize Patrol and I’m looking for Karen....”