Multitasking In Overdrive

We humans are so susceptible to falling into patterns of egotistical abuse of our intelligence. We know, because we are capable of observing, that we are not in complete control of our physical and mental responses, when we are distracted from a matter-at-hand, by another matter that intrudes, and instead of putting aside the intrusion, we arrogantly decide to dedicate ourselves to both.

Trouble is, side-lining - however temporarily - vigilance required to adequately operate a motor vehicle, for the purpose of temporarily split-seconding attention to an incoming call on a cellphone makes us vulnerable to error. An error that could result in a slight problem such as collision with an immovable object. Or, worse, a collision with another vehicle in which case, the potential harm can be caused to others as well.

Younger drivers who have grown up with the casual use of electronic devices think themselves impervious to errors, believe they can handle cerebral overload with no problem. It's not merely taking pride in one's ability to multi-task, but taking it for granted that it presents no problem to the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

Even those who understand quite well that in using a BlackBerry or a laptop or a cellphone while driving can result in errors of judgement and end up in disaster, think themselves immune to error. It's only the irritating and irresponsible behaviours of others that pose a risk, because they're incapable and we're not.

Research that demonstrated more than amply that seat belts help save lives did not of itself convince people that simply by buckling up they were being responsible, and that that action might very well save their life or those of the people they ferried about. Seat belt laws had to be legislated, to adequately convince people to use seat belts. It was the cost factor.

And even though there is more than adequate research readily available to instruct doubters that they risk much in using a GPS while their car is in motion, or responding to a cellphone call, or typing a quick message on their BlackBerry while driving, people tend to shrug off the necessity to separate these ancillary actions from that of the primary one; driving.

Destination and communication don't mix. One may be dependent on the other, but they should be prosecuted separately. Pull over to inform someone you'll be late for a meeting. Otherwise, you may be permanently late for any future meetings. As thinking human beings we too often surrender conscience to confidence and ego. It's a dangerous past-time.

A newly-released study revealed that if drivers texted they were 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision. Another, earlier study revealed that in some U.S. states 43% of drivers admitted to texting while driving. Driving under the influence of distraction. Somewhat akin to driving while impaired through intoxication.

People are so intoxicated with their precious little communications devices they have become dependent on them to a neurotic degree that makes them dangerous to others. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is of the opinion that distracted driving deserves the very same social opprobrium as impaired driving; it's one and the same thing.

Hurtling along the highway with a heavy mechanical contraption has its responsibilities. The first of which is to be alert, and to keep one's eyes on the road ahead. No one is that adept and capable that they can pay full attention to the mechanics of driving, however, automatic they may seem to be, and divert even a minuscule portion of attention elsewhere.

While driving, nothing transcends the importance of safety; an obligation to oneself and to the rest of society. The messages can wait; otherwise they may very well become transformed into post-funeral messages of regret.