Opinion

POLL: Have You Engaged in Distracted Driving Behaviors?

Police recently announced a program to crack down on drivers texting and doing other tasks while on the road.

By Susan Jenkins
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July 17, 2012

12 Comments

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Take the Patch Poll to tell us if you've engaged in distracted driving behaviors.

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Take the Patch Poll to tell us if you've engaged in distracted driving behaviors.

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Comments started flowing onto local Patch sites with the announcement last week that county police were going to implement "Operation Eagle" to enforce safe driving practices and warn distracted drivers.

Anne Arundel County police acknowledged that distracting driving is a "growing problem" and it goes beyond texting to handling pets or eating while driving.

Patch readers told editors stories of other distractions they witnessed such as drivers not using hands-free cellphone devices, reading a book, grooming in the rear view mirror, setting the GPS and even watching videos.

Have you ever engaged in any of these practices? If so, Patch wants to know. Take the poll below and leave a comment to confess which distracted driving behavior you've engaged in and why you did it.

Related Topics: Anne Arundel County Police, Distracted Driving, and Operation Eagle

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

John Frenaye

6:40 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012

You left out "I drive distracted all the time"

Maya T. Prabhu

6:45 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012

I will neither confirm nor deny that that might have been my vote in this poll, John.

Tim Lemke

11:39 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012

I responded to this poll while driving.

Ronald

10:13 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

GREAT comment! I needed that.

Thanks

Jason Humm

5:01 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I bought an RV so I could pee in the shower while driving.

Holly McD

6:47 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I have never been so aware of my driving habits until my teen turned 15, 9 months and got her driver's permit. She watches everything I do like a hawk stalking prey. . . and I think it is too late to say, "Do as a say, not as I've been doing!" Doesn't everyone look for tissues, lip balm, pens, snacks, CDs, etc.?

Christine Joyce

7:06 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I eat in my car sometimes but have Bluetooth for the phone. I do not text while driving ever that does take your eyes off the road for to long. I also have a teen with a permit so good example is really important.