Ban more “while driving” actions

Texters, pay attention. If you’re caught texting while driving, you’ll be pulled out of your car and beaten senseless by other drivers who resent your putting their lives at risk just so you can tell your friend you’re a block from her house. OK, not really, but I can dream, can’t I? Actually, last week, texting while driving became illegal in North Carolina, punishable by a whopping fine of $100. Whether the law will be enforced is another matter, but today, we’re offering a list of other “while driving” activities that should also be banned. These are all activities that either this writer or readers of a previous column have seen drivers doing in Charlotte. Note that these actions happened while the driver’s car was moving in traffic.

Brushing hair.

Putting on make-up and lipstick.

Putting on mascara or eyeliner.

Plucking eyebrows.

Hitting child in back seat.

Separating two small, fighting dogs.

Brushing teeth.

Flossing teeth.

Shaving.

Pulling nose hairs.

Writing a note.

Playing a handheld game.

Watching a movie on a laptop.

Replotting the GPS.

Eating a big burger or sub, using both hands.

Buttering toast.

Reading a newspaper, map, magazine or book.

Changing shirts.

Talking on cellphone while adjusting radio and changing lanes.

And that’s just a start. Any others you’ve seen that we haven’t included here are welcome.

Deliver Us From Weasels, a collection of articles and columns by John Grooms, published by Main Street Rag Publishing, is available at Park Road Books and Joseph-Beth Booksellers in SouthPark, for $14.95. On Friday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., the author will read from, discuss, and sign copies of the book at Park Road Books in the Park Road Shopping Center. Hear the author interviewed on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins at http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_0.cfm?do=detail&id=11044

This article appears in Dec 1-7, 2009.