An Open Letter To Drivers Who Text

September 25, 2016 by Ray Morgan

An open letter to drivers who text

Recently I was walking down Grand Drive, admiring the estuary after work, in the warm sunshine. I was thinking about how lovely the weather was, and was forced out of my reverie when a car sped down the road full tilt, hurtling towards the bottom of the road. I was about to cross the road myself so I could see the driver as he flew past. His mobile phone was propped up against his steering wheel, and he had both thumbs and EYES on his screen as he went past.

Call me old fashioned, but this shocked me. His car was going faster than it should have been, and he was ON THE INTERNET. Looking down at his phone as he drove. What could be so important? Had he finally reached 11 likes on an Instagram pic and was congratulating himself? Was the Facebook red notification too tempting for him, only to find out that it was a stranger commenting on a thread he no longer had any interest in?

I'm not a driver. I walk a LOT. I also wait at bus stops and dodge arcs of pavement rain and watch the world drive by and you know what? I see a hell of a lot of drivers on their phones. Dumbly staring down at smart screens, eyes reflecting white glare, double-chinned and NOT LOOKING WHERE THEY ARE GOING. That is not cool. Leigh on Sea is famed for its demographic of small children, old ladies, hipster cyclists and pets. All of those are at risk from texting drivers! I'm not saying it's exclusive to Leigh - there are idiots everywhere - but as someone who can wait for a bus in the morning and count over 10 drivers texting while going past, there is something wrong.

I've also noticed how zebra crossings seem optional for some drivers to stop at. I'll be there, patiently waiting by the blinking orange lollipop, not crossing because I can see that the driver is not even beginning to slow down, and I don't want to be flattened crossing the street for a vegan latte. That's just too sad. Is it a coincidence that more people are scrolling on their phones while driving and not stopping at crossings? Who knows.

I just know that as a pedestrian (top environmental marks to me for my minimal CO2 emissions) this is on the rise. Drivers - you're already winning. You're definitely getting to where you are going faster, drier, and more comfortably than me (though my Fitbit reading is better than yours). If your phone buzzes with a notification while you're driving, and I'm not talking about an emergency phone call, when you can pull over like you're taught to, please leave it until it's safe. It isn't worth the risk. And we can all see you through those magical clear car windows y'know. I'll be at the bus stop, eyeballing you.