As winter approaches in a few weeks and with the sun setting by 5 p.m. (Friday, December 22, will be the darkest day of the year), we must remember, as drivers and pedestrians, to be wary of others on the roadways. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly three years ago, many more people have taken to the streets to get some fresh air and exercise, and drivers must remember to be careful, particularly when it gets dark out. And walkers, runners, and bicyclists should not assume that motorists can see you; particularly when navigating around leaf piles into the center of streets, be sure to look out for vehicles, wear reflective clothing, and use flashlights.Particularly amidst the holiday season and with many residents working and learning from home, we are seeing more people – especially children – out around town. Vehicle and roadway safety must be on everyone’s minds when doing so – that means keeping off phones when behind the wheel. It is about personal responsibility and weighing the value of human life. This very topic was discussed at Livingston’s most recent Township Council meeting.According to a study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the use of electronic devices was the number one distraction among teenaged drivers. We fear that it may soon be the number one cause of distracted driving among adults, as well. While distracted driving used to be characterized by using one’s rear view mirror to apply make-up or eating a full meal in the car, it is now defined in a whole new manner.Distracted driving includes all situations in which drivers take their eyes off the road, take their hands off the wheel and/or take their minds off driving.While it is difficult to measure when one’s mind is not in the moment, it is easy to see when someone is not physically present at the wheel. At this point in time, all of us have likely had the experience of pulling up next to a vehicle, only to see someone staring intently into his or her lap. The most frightening experience is witnessing drivers holding up their phones at eye level while their vehicles are actually in motion. The phones are often held to the side, of course, so as not to completely block the drivers’ line of sight. Maybe this offers a false sense of security to the offenders.It’s one ...
