Focus on driving vehicle, not answering cell phone

I am writing in response to Kay Berry's recent letter concerning drivers on their cell phones. I, for one, was guilty as charged. This summer, I was waiting at a stop sign and my cell phone rang. I was not going to answer it, but picked it up just to see what the caller ID said. I entered the road and slammed into some poor unsuspecting person's car, shocking us both. I can't tell you how horrible I felt.

I was comforted knowing that the young woman didn't receive any physical injuries, but her cute little car was pretty damaged. What if I had hit an elderly person? They become injured so much easier. What if there had been a baby in a car seat on the side that I hit? How horrible that would've been … an event that would change their family and mine forever.

I am thankful for the forgiveness of the young woman, and for the huge lesson I learned from my inattentive driving. Please, please, please learn from my mistake, next time you want to make a call or your cell phone rings while you're driving … think to yourself — "Is this phone call worth someone else's life?" I'll bet that it's not.

Just pull over, park and answer it, or let it go to voice mail and return the call later. As for these teens that I've seen text messaging while they are driving, well, that will have to be another letter … because that's just plain stupid.

JANET LEAS

Sandpoint