Awkwardly backing out of the driveway and bouncing slowly between the dotted white lines on the 101 South, I scanned the road for cops. Somewhat paranoid, I took comfort in the fact that I wasn’t the only one on the road who was impaired. I could see lots of people like me, and so I continued chatting groggily, holding the phone to my ear.

I was lucky that I wasn’t pulled over.  The California Highway Patrol was out in force that Oct. 5, looking for distracted drivers in Los Angeles. You see, “DWD,” or driving while distracted, on any kind of call is just as bad as driving legally drunk, according to a 2005 University of Utah study. By now, most people are familiar with the CHP’s campaign against freeway callers and texters, but for two days this month, they’re making a special push.

Due to the laws banning cell phone use without a hands-free device, it’s fair to say some may avoid calls on the road completely now, but what about those talented multi-taskers? 

We’ve all seen one, flipping through a novel or applying eye shadow as they barrel down the highway.  Despite the danger, is there no room for admiration? 

My father is a striking example. He is capable of typing on his laptop, changing sweaters, putting in contacts and even shaving as he whips along at 60 mph.  Hair-raising as it is to be riding shotgun, you have to hand it to the guy.  He saves himself a lot of time by performing some of the day’s mundane chores in the driver’s seat.

If you know anyone with similar gifts, however, be sure to let them know to resist the urge on Oct. 26.  The CHP will be out to make their point once again.

After all, when you’re traveling 100 yards every 3 seconds, any distraction can be dangerous. 

“Eliminate your distractions,” CHP officer Steve Reid says.  “Eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.”

Balancing the danger of a ticket, or an accident, with beating the morning rush by doing your grooming on the go is a personal decision.  It’s one you might pay for, but it’s yours to make.

For an officer like Reid, perhaps seeing a fatal crash caused by a DWD driver is enough to dissuade him from calling his family or ordering Chinese pick-up on the ride home.

For me, watching my dad successfully pull a v-neck over his head as he steers with his left knee provokes a different response.

I’ll make a call if I need to, but I’ll pull over if I ever need to change my clothes.