Ask Paul B: Lose Music, Save A Kid — A Distracted Driving Tale

... #ad▼

Dear Paul B,

Recently, my fifteen year old, who has a learners permit, was backing out of a parking spot at a strip center. He is a bit cocky for a new driver, but I tell him to slow down always. As a family of six passed by (including four toddlers,) my son Brian backed out of the space. I noticed this family all together, but suddenly I heard screaming. I told Brian to stop backing up, and I realized then that a little girl was running back to the car. Brian plays “his music” loud while driving, and he was asking me a question at the very same time. Had I not heard this mother screaming, this little girl could have been injured or even killed. It turns out that the three-year-old girl wanted to take her doll shopping with her, and was running back to her car. She must have let go of her Mother’s hand, and her brother was holding the Mother’s other hand. I can only tell you that it shook me up so much that I needed another Cappuccino after this near miss. Keep the radios off when you’re backing up, everybody. It could save lives! Thanks, Paul B. Please share.

Denise L

++++++++++++++++

Dear Denise,

Here’s another idea as well. Crack your window while backing up, so you can at least hear what’s going on behind your car. Personally, my window is fully open while backing up, cold; hot, windy or not. I recall a four-year-old was run over in her family’s driveway by her Dad, as he left for work. The result was fatal. If this disturbs you, I have accomplished my mission. Summer time, many children outside. Look Out For Them!!
Please share any driving safety tips with us. We all appreciate it! Thanks, Denise.

Paul B

ABOUT ASK PAUL B! … WRITE PAUL B! …

ASK PAUL B! usually appears on Thursday evenings, but occasionally appears on other days or times so the article might be introduced to new readers.

IMPORTANT LEGAL STUFF:
Advice is offered for general discussion. Any advice from a columnist or someone who has never actually met you is not guaranteed to be fit for your particular situation. While the advice might help send you in the right direction to find a solution to your problem, missing information or lack of specific dialogue might cause you harm, or delay a solution to your problem. Never use this advice as the sole replacement for advice from a physician, psychologist or other health professional or other professional. The information provided through any Arlingtoncardinal.com post or Ask Paul B! post is not a substitute for health, legal and other professional advice where specific facts and circumstances warrant additional personal attention. If any reader requires legal advice, health advice or other professional assistance, each reader should always consult his or her own legal, health professional, or other professional advisors and discuss the facts and circumstances that specifically apply to the user. Consider the topics discussed as a part of your overall experience for your pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Don’t hesitate to get help when you might need professional help.

The views of Ask Paul B! are not necessarily the views of The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com.


Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …

Search Amazon …

Search for products sold on Amazon:

Arlingtoncardinal.com is an Amazon Associate website, which means that a small percentage of your purchases gets paid to Arlingtoncardinal.com at no extra cost to you. When you use the search boxes above, any Amazon banner ad, or any product associated with an Amazon banner on this website, you help pay expenses related to maintaining Arlingtoncardinal.com and creating new services and ideas for a resourceful website. See more info at Arlingtoncardinal.com/AdDisclosure