In our daily 5-mile drive to my daughter’s school, what’s important to me is that I get her there in the same condition she was in when we got in the car. I may not always get her there on time, as school officials can attest, but I get her there.

I’m far from a model citizen, but I don’t text while driving.

One morning, an oncoming vehicle’s driver had his eyes on the screen of his communicator. I apologize for interrupting his morning commute by obnoxiously laying on the horn while he was getting in some reading time.

I also need to apologize to the owner of the lawn I drove across while avoiding that vehicle.

As a former teacher, I understand the importance of being a lifelong reader and learner. I kept him from his obvious joy of reading and learning the latest tasty tidbit of information from those he deems more important and valuable than my 7-year-old daughter.

This may seem old-fashioned to some, but I remember the days before portable communicators, when people communicated with those not around by using a hard-wired phone. You made sure that your conversations included all that you wanted to say because you weren’t attached at the chip, 24/7.

Sadly, I used to believe that just plain talking on the phone while driving a vehicle was distracting and dangerous, but then again, I felt that watching “The Simpsons” was distracting and dangerous for developing, young minds.

Who knew?

Todd Mogul, Auburn