> OK lady, you're driving on the freeway at 73 mph. You're talking on the phone with your left hand and using your right hand for smoking and driving. You need to think about priorities for your hands. For example, which hand are you going to use to turn on your signal when you have to change lanes to pass that truck up ahead? Which hand are you going to use for driving when that cigarette drops a hot ash in your lap? What if you get desperate for a drag of smoke before your conversation ends?
>
> The good news is that the traffic is light to moderate and the rain has stopped. The bad news is that there is a 25 mph crosswind with gusts to maybe 35 and you are driving a minivan with flat sides. That's me in the lane to your left in a car, and that wind is moving the car around enough to require all of my attention. What is it doing to that minivan? Maybe your right arm is stronger than both of mine and your reflexes are better. I hope so.
>
> You're about to catch that truck, so I guess it's show time. I can feel turbulence off the truck already so I think I'll back off so you can have this lane if you need it. Yep, you needed it. No signal, and the wind moved you over two feet into the third lane. Under control now, more or less. Whoa! Brake lights! You almost missed your exit! Way to go, girl, you missed the back of that truck by at least a foot. No signal for that move either, but you made it to the off-ramp. I hope you get home OK.
> Howard


Scary, isn't it. I had a guy change lanes right in front of our happy little family (husband, two kids, dog, pulling a huge fifth-wheet trailer), cutting us off and *barely* giving us time to brake. We switched lanes, he slowed down, and as we went past, he was: drinking a coffee, smoking, talking on his cell phone, pushing the buttons on his CD player AND taking off his jacket.

te "Not Catholic, but keeps a St. Christopher medal in the truck, just in case." ach