Ok, the other day I am driving through Richmond, making my turn at the always busy stop light. When all of a sudden a full size SUV pulls out of the gas station across traffic and heads south on Route 2.



It was not a close call as I saw her and was able to get out of her way, although I am not sure she even noticed. I didn't honk or swear, I was feeling pretty calm and was in no hurry.

Then as I drove home it started to bother me, but I was not sure why. Was it the fact that a 16-18 year old young women was driving such a huge vehicle? Her parents probably let her drive it because it is so safe...maybe for her. What about the rest of us?

Or was it the fact that she was chatting away on a cell phone? I think this disturbed me the most. Again her parents let her use the huge vehicle, and they give her a cell phone so they can always reach her.

So we all know teenage drivers are not the most alert, so why would you let them distract themselves further by letting them talk on a cell phone while driving.

I am guessing that this 7 thousand plus pound vehicle is about all a young driver can handle, so it makes perfect sense to take one hand off the wheel to hold a phone to your ear.

Now, I don't need to know about or debate any studies about accidents and cell phone use, to understand that the combination of a large SUV and a young clearly distracted driver, is not a good situation.

Its not a question of when, but rather where and whom will be hurt? Again I can imagine the grief both familes will feel if such an accident were to occur.

We don't need any government legisaltion to prevent this. How about we all just agree that when your driving you focus on the road. When you need to call pull over and talk all you want.

This goes for all cell phone users/drivers. Although I do think parents should be teaching their kids this from the beginning.

Its just my oppinion...Jim