Texting and driving kills, get it?

The weather is now warming. And you have to admit it has been downright gorgeous the last few weeks. People are going on and on about more and more on the roads. Traffic increases as time wears on. Life in the Valley is good. Except....

Except for one thing that puts a large negative on it all. I’m talking about texting and driving. I have written about this before, yet I feel the need to write about it again. My day job has me driving all over the Valley. I really enjoy meeting the people who call this wonderful place home. And you can’t beat the views and wild vistas. I’m also seeing a lot more drivers sharing the road with me doing the thumb dance on their smartphones or texting devices.

Frankly it scares the heck out of me. And it should scare you too. Because distracted driving as it is termed has gone beyond drunk driving statistically. Way beyond those rates. While many thought it is something affecting the Lower 48, the sad truth is it is up here too.

Here it is bluntly: texting and driving kills. It maims and destroys lives. Far too many haven’t a clue. Time to wise up and put the darn things away while behind the wheel.

I don’t need to end up in the hospital or worse- six feet under, after getting into a wreck caused by some idiot doing the thumbsey whumbsey on his smartphone.

It isn’t smart. It is darn right dangerous and anyone doing it is a fool playing playing with fire. It will burn not only the driver but also the innocent victims of this deadly folly. I would love to see this idiotic practice stop. I know that our police and state patrol are going after them. So are the courts. But it is very difficult to enforce the new laws. And the fools doing this know it too.

This isn’t a game, or at least it isn’t a game I want any part of. I believe no one in his right mind wants to be a part of it either. And yet I’m still seeing people in my rearview mirrors plugging away on the stupid things. Or crossing the line heading straight at me. (That really happened last week. It was a frightening near-miss.) Texting Mom, Billy Bob and silly Sister Sarah about latest trivial drivel.

Chances are very good that texting Davey will become part of a southbound semi or plow into a van full of kids going to the Musk Ox Farm. Then picture Davey’s wife getting a visit from the State Patrol informing her hubby is in jail or worse.

So to all who think they are able to beat the odds against them and continue to text and drive. You can’t beat the odds. You are not only risking your life, you putting at risk the lives of people like me who share the road with you. There are enough hazards out there — drunk drivers, moose and bear popping out of the woodwork. We don’t need this.

So do us all a favor. Keep you eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and keep your thumbs off the smartphone. Keep that gizmo in your pack or what serves as a bag. Toss it on the back seat and forget about it. I think Billy Bob will understand.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.