It’s fair to say that while we often have to endure an appreciable amount of stupidity and law-breaking behaviour on our roads, few things raise the blood pressure like having to dodge a dangerously weaving car piloted by someone who’s texting on their mobile phone…
Those of you with an eye for understatement may have gathered that this is something of a pet peeve of mine, but having narrowly escaped being blindsided by some knucklehead trying to type a witty message on a phone that resembles a laptop while driving, I have to say that the NHTSA’s (National Highway Traffic Safety Association – a Stateside entity) latest idea, as hokey as it may sound, could gain traction with those of us who’ve had a close shave with the aforementioned folk.
Much like the concept of a designated driver to sit around in the pub with their mates, necking cokes and trying to keep up with the conversation now taking place at an advanced state of slur before safely ferrying them home via the all-night garage/kebab shop. The NHTSA has come up with an ad campaign that promotes the idea of getting a passenger (hopefully someone you can trust and won’t send anything too salacious to your friends or laugh at the pet names you and your partner give one another via SMS) to text for you as you drive.