‘Tis the season to be jolly and it’s also the season to be distracted. With all the Christmas lights that sparkle up the neighborhoods and carolers going from door to door like singing Jehovah’s witnesses, one could easily be the witness to a car crash with all these distractions. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no Bah Humbug! I love Christmas as much as the other person who is not clinically depressed this time of year. I’m just saying, with all this commercialism of the holiday, it’s easy to lose focus of the real meaning behind Christmas. “Love thy neighbor” and your fellow motorist, too. Yes, the person driving next to you, in your blind spot, is your neighbor. The jackass who is tailgating you is your neighbor. The person who is driving while talking or texting on their cell phone is your neighbor.
This holiday season show some courtesy on the roads. Don’t get distracted by your cell phone, your radio, GPS or that nagging spouse sitting next to you, reminding you how much they hated last year’s gift you gave them. Last year in the United States, over 37,000 people were killed in auto accidents and over 17,000 were drinking and driving-related. 2010 doesn’t have to be that way and it all starts with you. I hope you have a happy, safe and healthy holiday season and a better new year. Join me again next week and keep sending in your comments and suggestions. Until then…
Take care and be safe-
Danny Keaton