My mom, a maven of the bon mot, used to say, "God helps those that help themselves, but God help those that help themselves!" She also used to say, when she had a cold, "Oh, it's my nose that runs and my feet that smell!" I was about 30 when it dawned on me that this was funny...
So, yes, I'm slow sometimes. But I've always considered myself a safe driver. In more than 40 years behind the wheel, I've never caused an accident, and I've avoided many others by being alert. I've had two speeding tickets, both late at night when there were no other drivers on the road, other than a state trooper lying in wait. I don't drink and drive.
I disparage those who drive while on the cell phone, though, until yesterday, I myself would occasionally talk while driving. Until yesterday.
Yesterday I talked on the cell phone the last time while driving. It was just before noon. The weather was perfect and sunny. I was talking to my middle daughter, and we were having a pleasant mother-daughter chat. I entered what is perhaps the second-busiest intersection in Minot, North Dakota; and, due to road construction, there were a bunch of cones placed to divide traffic turning left from traffic continuing straight through the intersection. I had intended to go straight through the intersection, but somehow I thought I'd got into the left turn side of the cones. I'd observed a car behind me in the lane to my right, going straight through the intersection into the single lane on the other side. Thinking I had to clear the intersection (or something...???) I turned left into oncoming traffic, disregarding the red left turn arrow. Cars had to dodge me. I'd thrown the phone down without hanging up. I was not hit; I did not hit anybody. No police officer was there to issue a well-deserved ticket. (I don't know if they do the photo tickets here in North Dakota.) But what I did scared me to death.
It was too much input for my feeble brain, apparently. No more talking on the cell phone while driving for me, hands-free or otherwise. Every trip I've made since I've turned the phone off and tucked it in my bag, so that not even by force of habit will I be able to pick up a ringing phone and respond while driving.
I know two teenagers who crossed the line or drove off the road while
distracted by texting or talking on their cell phones. One died, one
was in the hospital for months. I don't know why I thought I could
drive and talk on the phone safely at the same time.
God created us with common sense. God expects us to help ourselves by using that common sense. I'm profoundly grateful for another chance.
