April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but what do we really know and believe about distracted driving?
We tell ourselves multiple lies every day when we drive: I can multitask without a problem; I have a Bluetooth, so it’s no problem to talk and drive; talking on a cell phone is just like talking to a passenger in the car; I only use my phone at stop lights or stop signs; and a great deceiver — I use talk to text, so I’m all good.
We are great at fooling ourselves to perceive that driving conditions are safer than they really are. You just read the text, but you don’t respond. It’s just a quick call.
People who want to use technology to stay connected while they drive are going to look for any evidence that it is OK to do so. But it is not.
It only takes once to not see a pedestrian, a vehicle ahead of you slowing for a turn, or the red light at a busy intersection. You need your brain to drive, and when we overload the brain with two very difficult tasks — driving and trying to communicate — driving loses.
We need to stop fooling ourselves. Thousands of people are dying for the sake of calls and texts, none of which is worth a human life. It only takes one. Please do not drive distracted.
LT. ANGEL BURGOS
Ohio State Highway Patrol
SANDY WIECHMAN
Safe Communities of Wood County
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City council looking out for residents
On April 4, Toledo City Council voted to support a resolution against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (April 5, “Toledo council passes resolution on health-care repeal”).
While some readers may find these resolutions unnecessary, I would like to commend council members on this resolution and the other resolutions they have passed this year, including affirming Toledo as an “open, inclusive, and safe community” and as a “citizen-engaged community.” These resolutions go hand in hand with their Feb. 7 agreement to include gender identity as a protected class that cannot be discriminated against.
These resolutions all speak to a commitment to ensuring the health and well being of Toledo’s citizens, especially young people. The ACA made health care an option for millions of young citizens, through Medicaid, as well as making reproductive health care far more accessible.
I would encourage the current city council to continue its work making Toledo a safe home for marginalized groups. I would also encourage Toledo as a whole to be mindful of whom we appoint to fill the upcoming vacancies this fall and to encourage this atmosphere of inclusivity.
HAILEY GUYETTE
Ryewyck Drive
Slow down with car technology
I saw the April 21 article regarding a “flying car” that is going on sale for $1 million (‘‘Not quite the Jetsons, but flying car to go on sale — for over $1 million”).
We don’t even have the self-driving cars totally on the road yet. We all need to stop, slow down, and smell the roses.
DAWN AUGUSTYNIAK
Maumee
First Published April 25, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
