Stepping On the Soapbox!

I had been following a story from the area for a couple of weeks for a few reasons. First I heard that a motorcyclist was killed in a head on crash on a highway I had ridden on a few weeks before. Then I learned it was a 21 year old young man killed and the driver was a young lady. Today I learned the young man that lost his life was a member of the U of M Marching Band; 320 other members morn the loss of his life.
When I started riding motorcycle a few years ago I realized that there were two things that frightened me as I went down the road on my bike; deer suddenly jumping out of the ditch and distracted drivers. The more I ride, the more I realize the distracted drivers are certainly the bigger threat. It breaks my heart to think about the lives changed by this young life taken on that highway in broad daylight; the family of the motorcyclists AND the young lady.
We have heard of too many stories like this lately, motorcyclists and bicyclists are at risk on the roads. Let's stop calling these accidents. It seems to me if you choose to get behind the wheel you should choose to pay attention to the road and only the road. I realize accidents happen; this is not an accident. I don't know for a fact that the particular accident I am talking about is because of cell phone but it was a distracted driver. Everyone thinks it couldn't happen to them; it won't be me, or anyone from my family; it could be.
Pay attention today. Put your phone down. Please.

***short lady steps off soapbox