Let's get tough on selfish texting drivers

Selfish drivers who "only text at stoplights" have created a phenomenon best described as Text-Delay. When stoplights turn green, no one moves. We wait while the drivers at the front complete their vital thoughts and tap "send."

What makes it intolerable is the domino effect when three or four drivers are likewise distracted. Several lights are most offensive and anyone who drives misses at least one light a day due to Text-Delay.

Driving north on Hicks at Lake Cook, I was stopped and fourth in line. This light is poorly timed and it is typical that the fourth car comes through on yellow. When the light turned green, I sensed Text-Delay immediately and started creeping forward. The woman in front of me never reacted or realized the light had changed. I drove around her, passed through on yellow and watched in the rear view mirror as she put down the phone and gunned her car through the now-red light nearly clipping the innocent driver who perilously turned left in front of her.

These selfish texters seem to be the best argument for driverless cars. They can ride along and text important thoughts to the waiting audience. For the rest of us, the roads would be safer. As a secondary benefit, driverless cars are not selfish and will not turn into the right lane and block vehicles hoping to make a right turn on red. Too many me-first drivers move to the right lane with no regard for the seven or eight vehicles behind with turn signals flashing. How would they know when they are busy texting at the light?

It is time to stop texting or go driverless. Make the fines hurt and make it a priority to pull over and ticket the problems. Illinois is financially broken and the roads are getting worse. While the budget will never balance without default, there is an enormous revenue stream driving around making it unsafe for everyone. Write 'em up.

Brian DeValk

Palatine