EDITORIAL
Holiday multi-tasking equals lousy driving

OK now, turn off the cell phone, place both hands on the steering wheel and take a deep breath.

If you're like the majority of Americans during the last few days before Christmas, you're probably racing around town, juggling work, gift-buying marathons, family obligations and Yuletide parties.

And that makes you more likely to speed, run a red light, drive tipsy and overall drive more recklessly in the name of holiday multi-tasking.

Sure, it's annoying to have to dawdle behind a seemingly aimless driver, or to miss the last parking space in a crowded lot, or sit in stop-and-go traffic along Nimitz Highway.

But it's not worth risking your life, the life of your family or the life of other motorists and pedestrians just because you've set a goal to get somewhere by a certain time, or if you're distracted by holiday errands.

Naturally, it's always the other drivers who are reckless, right? Well, not according to an Allstate Insurance study called "You Are What You Drive." The survey found that most motorists consider themselves to be safe drivers, yet admit to speeding and drinking and driving.

Another hazard is the use of cellular phones while driving, yet Hawai'i still has not moved to ban this practice. Even with a headset, studies have shown road alertness suffers when drivers talk on a cell phone.

Of course, we don't expect giving up cell phones while driving will be at the top of anyone's New Year's resolution list.

Nor do we expect people not to get sucked into the holiday frenzy. It's as seasonal as the kolea birds wintering in Hawai'i.

What we do wish for this holiday season is for motorists to be mindful of the demands of these distractions. To make this holiday season a safe one: Don't speed, don't drink and get behind the wheel, and try not to yack on the cell phone while driving.