Many of you will know that this is a cause near to my heart. (In other words, near to the burning coal of fury otherwise known as my heart.)
A few months ago I had a very near miss at a head-on collision on the edge of a steep drop. I was nearly killed by a stupid, horrible, piece of shit of a man who is most likely a nice, decent, valuable part of his circle of loved ones. The difference is subtle – only a matter of a split second and thirty inches or so.
He was texting and driving and almost completely in my lane on a curve in a winding mountain road.
We missed colliding by a couple of feet.
This was one of three incidents in the last half year (that I’ve been aware of) of drivers texting behind the wheel in full view, close enough to become my business. I could see it because they drifted into my lane, or wobbled right by with their eyes on their phones, thumbs a-typin’, steering with their knees, or their pinkies, or The Force.
Stop it.
Watch this. Or if you can’t be bothered, let me paraphrase the moral of the story: killing and maiming people is not worth telling anyone “Lol!” or “Get pepperoni & mushroom” or “I’ll be right there” or “Love you, too”.
Stop it.
(Thanks to Debra Lynn Lazar for sending out the link to this short film.)
Because I Love To Hear Myself Type 
Hello Jamie.
Let me first say how much I enjoyed reading Three Graves Full. The only reason I started reading it was because I saw a review compare it to The Coen Brothers. That was good enough for me. I love books and films with a dark humorous core. The late, great Iain Banks springs to mind.
The subject of your blog post is one that I too, feel strongly about. I ride a motorcycle all year round here in the UK, and texting and driving is a big problem on our roads also. When I saw that Werner Herzog (my favourite director) had made a documentary about this subject, I immediately hunted down a copy on youtube. I was in tears for most of the 35 minute running time.
I have upset friends and relatives by snatching their phones from them when they have gone to answer a call or read a text whilst driving. I tell them that I don’t care if they don’t like it. I would sooner lose a friend and live than risk the alternative.
Enough ranting.
I’m very much looking forward to reading your next book.
All the best.
Graham.
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed TGF. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me. It made my day.
I’m also laughing because I’m doing final edits on my next book and I named a character Mr. Noakes —- just this morning. He’s only a minor character, a beloved teacher, and I pulled the name out nowhere, but I even spelled it like yours.
That’s very strange and pleasant. I shall take it as a good omen. :)
And yes, I’m on fire to stop everyone I can from texting and driving, even if I have to be an utter cow about it.
All the best to!
-Jamie
Hello again Jamie.
I just saw this short video from Volkswagen, and thought you might appreciate it.
I love that. Very pointy.
The VW ad in the previous post was removed for whatever reason. It can now be found here: https://youtu.be/R22WNkYKeo8