Like most REALTORS® I don’t usually commute during rush hour, but the other day I had to go to Baltimore to remove a lockbox so I was in rush hour traffic like all the other commuters. Another reminder about one of the things I don't miss about working a normal 9 to 5.
During the half hour drive I noticed a lot of goings on in the cars besides just driving.
Cell phones. Wow, I would have to say that about 15% or more of drivers during rush hour are talking on their cell phones. Most of them not using a headset either. We’re developing a generation of younger people who are going to be stoop shouldered when they get older from keeping the cell phone to their ear. You'll see, mark my words, they'll be stooping left or right, depending on what ear they prefer. What they’re talking about since they just got out of bed and hopped in the car is beyond me to comprehend. I'm sure it was riveting..."hi, I'm driving to work,"
Our cars have now become our roving cafeterias and offices.
Quite a number of drivers were munching on breakfast as they were driving. My informal survey seems to show that Mickey D’s is the preferred breakfast food for the car interior.
It goes without saying that more than 20% of the drivers were also getting their first caffeine fix of the day. As the slogan says…”America runs on Dunkin.” It sure seems to be the preferred coffee of drivers. Probably because they have more drive through than most other coffee joints. In the rush hour commute you wouldn't want to wait for the Starbuck's barrista to brew up your morning fix.
Texting on cellphones and Blackberries is going on more than you would like to know. You've been behind them on the highway. They're the ones who think that driving in the lanes is merely a suggestion. Drifting left or right at 70 miles per hours, not a problem.
Two people were actually reading a newspaper on their steering wheel. I guess they haven't heard of that new invention called the radio.
One guy was shaving with an electric razor.
Two women were putting on makeup…yes, while driving. Anybody out there besides clowns capable of putting on their makeup without looking in the mirror? Neither were they.
Two different women were curling their eyelashes with some sort of torture looking device.
All right, I'll show my age here. When I first got my drivers license in 1964 cars didn't even come with cupholders. Cell phones were only in Popular Science. Drive thru's...sorry, you had to get out of the car. What we did was drive from one place to the other. No muss, no fuss, just drive.
For what it's worth, I don't see any problem with drinking coffee or eating an Egg McMuffin when you drive. Of course there is going to be the occassional spill. Texting, makeup, reading are no-no's. The jury is still out on cell phone but I've seen way too many erratic drivers talking on cell phones to not believe that the practice is dangerous. Maryland hasn't yet enacted a headset law but I'm sure they will sometime in the future.
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
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Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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