One "-5 Soth" Cause Found

Scott en Aztlán wrote:
> Two words: CELLULAR PHONE.
>
> Several of the -5 Sloths I have encountered recently turned out to
> have phones plastered to their ears. These Sloths are driving slowly
> because they are unable to concentrate on both their driving and their
> conversation at the same time - so of course the driving suffers.

I dunno... I'd say if they're consciously compensating for their
divided attention their driving has actually improved, for prevailing
conditions. Slowing down a tad while you're on the phone isn't really
a hanging offense from my POV.

I mean, it is a speed *limit*... so they're actually driving more
responsibly than a driver who's not on the phone yet unable to exhibit
sufficient skill to prevent going 5 over...
-----

- gpsman

I agree that maintaining the "flow" of traffic is safer than being a
"rock in the stream" however with that comes judgement of abilities as
a driver. Fundementally, if a person can not drive safetly and talk on
the phone at the same time, they have no business behind the wheel at
all. If there is such a low cap on a person that they cannot do more
than a few things at once it is unsafe for that person to be driving
regardless of if they are using a cell phone or not. Driving requires
that you be able to take in many many things at once such as speed,
objects in front, behind, left and right. On top of that you should be
able to respond to changes in road conditions, lighting (day, twilight
and night driving) visual and audio clues as to the condition of your
vehicle, etc. If a person cann't drive and find the temperature
control with out taking thier eyes off the road , they should
reconsider the danger of them being on the road to begin with. Despite
the common belief that driving is everyones right, licences should be
awarded to those who are truely skilled.
scott