Will someone please make me a sandwich...board?

You know about my campaign and you've all stopped talking while driving, right? I could fill the whole blog with nothing but posts about this but alas, against all appearances, I do have some restraint.

But I must report this. I was crossing the street. Yes, leaving Taste, as is my wont, heading for Newtonville Books, another addiction.

A huge SUV screeches to a halt.

Driver is on the phone.

I put my thumb to my ear, pinkie to my mouth, and say something plain and simple, not even a swear involved: "Get off the phone."

Driver rolls down her window and screams, irate, offended: "I stopped for you and you're telling me to get off the phone!"

Need I say that it's the law? If you're crossing the street, people are supposed to stop in Massachusetts, possibly elsewhere, to avoid running you down.

Thus, the sandwich board. I want to stand at intersections with one that says: "Hang up. You're drunk and you don't know it."

(Or "If you're driving while you're talking, clap your hands...")

Which do you think is better and who's making me the sandwich board?

NB (and update): Suldog, below, asks me to clarify whether I was in the crosswwalk when this happened. I was not. I was a few feet away. Not far but still my bad. We should all play by the best safety rules. And there have been times when I've used that crosswalk and had to dodge traffic. Still, no excuse. Thanks for asking me to spell this out.

Comments

[Paul Levy]

Ah, but you were walking down the street in the Land of Entitlement. Those pesky traffic rules are just advisory in our fair city.

[jessica lipnack]

Right, I should have been on a bike. On a phone.

[Rob]

I much prefer punching the cars that don't stop, but that's because I'm from Queens. I even have rules: http://www.rbellinger.com/blog/2007/12/rules-of-engagement-for-car-punching.html

[jessica lipnack]

So that means you're making me a sandwich board with a fist on it, a self-propelling one?

[Suldog]

I'm with you 100%. As a driver (one who doesn't even own a cell) I always keep the widest of berths when I see some jerk talking on a phone while driving.

Just to clarify: You were in the crosswalk, right? Not that anyone has a right to run you down if you weren't, but being within one strengthens your case and should probably be part of the story.

[Jack Sea]

My favorite is when the first car stops for me to cross, and the driver behind that car gets pissed, speeds up to pass the first car and almost hits me. The second driver is almost always on the phone.

[Jay Levitt]

Even better than punching:

Pick the sharpest key on your key ring, and hold it at arm's length while crossing. They're not only supposed to stop for you - they're supposed to not come within 10 feet of you. (Assuming you're in a marked crosswalk, and there's no traffic signal involved. MGL 89-11.) If they're going to hit your key, stop walking and stand still.

Hey! You keyed my car!

No... best I can tell, you carred my key.

(I also endorse Brooks running shoes.)

[jessica lipnack]

Suldog, good question and you're right. I was not directly in the crosswalk but a few feet away. So technically I was at fault for that. There were no cars coming when I set out across the street and I remember being mad at myself at the time for not being directly in the crosswalk. Will add this to the post now.

[Suldog]

You're honest, so that's bonus points!

[jessica lipnack]

Not honest enough! I should have included it in the original post. But thanks.