LISTEN: And be aware out there

There was a letter in Dear Abby from a woman driver who almost hit another woman and her child. The driver was on the cell phone and not giving driving her total attention.

This reminded me of a situation in San Diego many years ago. Bicycle riders, runners and joggers often wear head sets, talk on the phone or listen to music while they exercise. The runner in San Diego was a police officer who was jogging down the RR tracks. A train was coming behind him but his music was so loud that the officer didn’t hear the train whistle. The engineer was sounding the whistle constantly and had already activated the emergency braking system. Still the officer jogged along — oblivious to the danger barreling down on him.

When he finally heard the train, he was angry! So he called the railroad police and threatened to file charges, turn the engineer in! Funny, right? Well, maybe not.

Here in Idaho, we have joggers and bike riders often talking on cell phones, or listening to music, oblivious to their surroundings. Don’t they realize that out on the bike trails, jogging paths, sidewalks and streets, they are potentially in great danger because they aren’t paying attention? And not just from vehicle traffic or trains. How about rapists who ogle the sweet young things in their cute exercise outfits? Or the muggers who see a chance to grab a wallet?

Staying in shape also means keeping your wits about you!

MARY MURDOCK

Athol