Overt Texters Lack Common Sense

You have heard me complain about the self important cell phone and Bluetooth users before, but, I haven’t made much mention of the texters of the world.

The text messaging fools are probably the most irritating of all. You have seen them weaving down the road as they furiously punch in their messages to whoever. I feel sorry for anyone in the bike lane on Pima Road, or anywhere else in Scottsdale, when these guys come charging up their backside as they make that "must message" that simply can’t wait.

Recently Valerie Jarrett, an adviser to Barack Obama, fell off a curb in Chicago and twisted her ankle according to the AP. She fell because her thumbs were flying over the keys of her Blackberry and she was not looking where she was going. She admits she was not paying attention and promises to be more careful in the future. That’s baloney, she isn’t going to change, those people never do. They are caught up in the world of multi-tasking and aren’t about to change.

The American College of Emergency Physicians warns of the dangers of more serious accidents that may be caused by texters. Remember, these are people who don’t care about watching the road while they drive which brings up all kinds of possible accidents involving them with pedestrians, bicycles, in-line skaters, and other motorists. This doesn’t include injuries that these fools may incur while walking into lampposts or walls or tripping over curbs like Ms Jarrett did. Two people have already been killed in California this year when they stepped in front of vehicles while texting.

Is it worth it? I guess they think so as these incidences keep occurring. Most texters admit they are taking chances but will continue to text while walking or driving "because it saves time." One guy says that "There are a lot of things you shouldn’t do. This is another one on my list." So much for common sense.

Of course, just because one is being rude and ill mannered doesn’t enter the equation. Since when do manners matter in our current society? Ask any woman who is pushed aside by a man entering an elevator.

Welcome to the 21st century.