Drivers on cell phones, your basic careless motorist, the elderly, the newly licensed ... it seems these days that every time you put the key in the ignition you’re also putting your life on the line.

And don’t get me started on crosswalks.

Not that I have anything against crosswalks, mind you, but some people just don’t seem to understand that a crosswalk is not an invisible force field protecting one from oncoming traffic. And it’s become more and more apparent that some people ... seriously ... did not pay attention in kindergarten.

You know, the whole looking both ways thing?

Regardless, considering the number of distractions out there on the road, well, let’s just say even my daily commute has become a no-holds-barred, death grip on the steering wheel affair.

And I only drive five miles to and from the office. Go figure.

As for cell phones, and more specifically their use while driving, I’ll never understand the lure of putting one’s life on the line simply for the sake of conversation. It just seems so illogical to me, and yet you can’t drive from one end of the city to the other without seeing at least three or four individuals (or five or six ... or more), completely oblivious, chatting away while sipping on a soda, lighting a smoke or unwrapping that tasty snack that just couldn’t wait.

Here’s an idea, why don’t you just go ahead and see if you can make things any more difficult to keep your eyes on the road; like maybe read a book or do your hair, write that long-lost pen pal or pen the great American novel?

All while driving, of course.

Which isn’t to say I haven’t seen that kind of behavior before, as I’m sure others have ... women touching up their make-up or some stiff in a suit perusing the latest stock report, all while travelling 75 miles an hour down the highway (or route 12, for that matter). People seem to think they’re invincible behind the wheel, which, let’s be honest, should scare the hell out of everybody, particularly your everyday, responsible driver.