March 12 - Lisa's Musings (on cops and warm weather ) and Every Day Life

Let it not be said (at least not this week) that there's never a cop around when you need one.

Maybe it's just me, or perhaps where I drive, but did you notice that there were cops everywhere now that the weather's begun to warm?

I swear I didn't know that were this many deputies on the western end of the county and I've been covering this area a long time.

Perhaps like the bears, hibernation season is over, because suddenly, I see patrol cars sprouting like crocus at practically every corner.

During the winter, the only time I saw them was at crash scenes.

However, this week, it seemed like no matter the time of day, I didn't have to drive very far to see one of those distinctive patrol cars. And, I'm sure there were some non-distinctive ones out there, too.

So where were they all winter?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about seeing them out and about. In fact, it makes me feel safer knowing they're out cruising and keeping an eye out for law breakers.

And hopefully they'll be on the lookout for bad drivers because there sure are a lot of them, talking on cell phones, texting, trying to play with their babies while driving ... the list is infinite.

Although, according to a story in the Free Press today, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning announced that in 2009, there was an 11-percent decline in people killed in traffic crashes.

It's being attributed to an increase in seat belt use, less drunk-driving wrecks and ... I think this is the capper: there have been reductions in the number of miles driven because so many people are out of work.

Er, to be politically correct, "because of the economic downturn."

In fact, preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that the number of national highway deaths in 2009 is the lowest since 1954 -- which is four years before I was born.

(Wait, were there cars back then?)

Let's face it, if you don't have a job, you don't have the money for gas.

And, I'm sure that seat belt laws have helped.

Let's hope since no one has any money that less people are drinking and driving.

But my guess is a nationwide ban on talking on any kind of cell phone while driving would help trim those traffic fatalities, too.

Think of the money that local municipalities could reap from all those fines in these trying budget crunching times. With all the fines, police departments could add officers with this additional revenue.

I'm sorry but, I don't care how important you are or think you are, there is no reason on Earth why anyone needs to be connected 24-7, there just isn't.

No one is that important that they can't put down the cell phone for a little while and drive somewhere.

Not so sure how to deal with the mom's playing with their babies while driving scenario other than whacking them over the head with a little common sense.

The point is with this spring-like weather, folks (although the Farmer's Almanac says there will be two more snow storms), the cops are back out on the streets, so watch your speed.

(And quit talking on your darn cell phones while driving.)

Just an observation, guys and gals.