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My 2 cents


Posted by Angie on June 25, 2000 at 20:50:37:

In Reply to: Re: Thank you! posted by Sammy on June 25, 2000 at 10:19:10:

This is something about which I also feel strongly. I have a slightly different opinion than you, though, Sammy.

Although some narcoleptics probably are not capable of driving, I believe that those who are aware of their tendencies and are on the look out for them are probably BETTER THAN AVERAGE drivers.

Personally, I know that I require at least an hour to wake up completely in the morning, so I always allow for that. That is the only time I have a problem, and I found a solution. I am often complimented on my alert and defensive driving skills. I like to drive, and I am good at it. I have never had an accident after 14 years of driving.

I am far more afraid of drivers with attitudes than I am of sleepy drivers. I am terrified of the bad attitudes in SUVs
(SUVs are 3 times as likely to cause serious injury in an accident-why isn't anyone talking about that?)talking on their cell phones and going 75 miles an hour in 55 mph zone. I am terrified of the people who insist on passing on the right and merging too soon without looking to see if anyone is passing on the left and trying to merge too. Who will take away the drivers licenses of those people? I'd be willing to bet that aggressive and careless drivers are way more dangerous than narcoleptics.

The three teenage boys who killed my aunt in a car accident were not sleepy, nor were they drunk, they were speeding and ticked off that she had pulled out in front of them, thinking that they were not going as fast as they were. The driver didn't even hit his brakes, even though he had time to stop. A bad attitude and a hasty decision in a 2-ton vehicle killed my aunt.

Put me on the road with a nervous narcoleptic any day. At least they would probably be going a lot slower...

And, they'd be far less dangerous than the sleep deprived NON-narcoleptic who wouldn't recognize how badly they needed to pull over and sleep.

And then, there are the people who are drunk AND have bad attitudes.

Yes, some narcoleptics shouldn't drive. But, I believe that most of us are committed to being careful, responsible drivers. We're not suicidal or homicidal. Unlike the aforementioned cellphone talking, SUV driving, speeding, arrogant and dangerous drivers I have to deal with on a daily basis.

Hmmm...can you tell how stressful commuting is? I see an accident EVERY DAY! I would much rather take a bus. Too bad it would take almost 2 hours to go 12 miles...

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