Don’t let 2007 go out with bang, wear your seat belt

For this I have but one person to blame.

No, it’s not me.

I blame Julius Caesar, who is responsible for this tradition. Back in the time of chariots and elephant-back riding, Caesar decided to put Janus, the Roman god of the past and future, at the front of his calendar. As a result, Roman citizens began reflecting on the past and resolving to make improvements in the future.

On top of my own resolutions, one of the many privileges associated with being the Road Warrior is that I get to also bestow resolutions upon valley drivers:

• Stop buying automobiles with DVD players.

Why don’t you try singing a song to your children or even, perish the thought, talking with them.

• Stop text messaging on your cell phones while driving. And this includes reading text messages.

I have done this in the past; and if you have, you know how dangerous it is. I am not going to do it anymore. Instead, I will, when it is safe, pull over and stop my car before reading or sending a text message. How did we survive before this wonderful technology anyway?

• Enough with the vanity plates.

I’ve never seen more in my life. I get it; it’s your BMW or whatever luxury car your driving. And we wonder why half the world hates us.

• Try carpooling once this year.

For the most part, I don’t think the High Occupancy Lanes are going to work in the valley. But since we already paid for it, we should at least use it. Find someone at work who lives near you and give it a shot. Who knows, maybe you will make a new friend or save some gas money.

• To a certain coffee chain that makes you learn another language to order a cup of coffee: I just want a medium coffee with milk and two sugars. Not grande this or latte that. (I feel this fits because I use the drive-thru.)

• To Gov. Jim Gibbons and the Legislature: Make not wearing a seat belt a primary violation. Right now, it is a secondary violation, which means law enforcement cannot pullover the knuckleheads who are not wearing their seat belts without having some other cause. In 2007, 63 percent of all fatal crash victims covered by the jurisdiction of the Nevada Highway Patrol were not wearing a seat belt. Every law enforcement agency that I talk to is jumping up and down and screaming for this law. And it is your chance, you elected officials you, to save the lives of voters. Get it done.

• Don’t drink and drive.

It goes without saying. Don’t be an idiot. But I understand we live in a town that encourages the consumption of alcohol. For those drivers who plan on welcoming in 2008 with a few cocktails, here are some options for getting home safely: A-Cab, 365-1900; Ace Cab, 736-8383; A-North Las Vegas Cab, 643-1041; Checker-Yellow-Star Cab, 873-2000; Deluxe Cab, 568-7700; Desert Cab, 386-9102; Henderson Taxi, 384-2322; Lucky Cab, 477-7555; Nellis Cab, 248-1111; Union Cab, 736-8444; Vegas Western Cab, 736-6121; Virgin Valley Cab, 737-1378; Western Cab, 736-8000; Whittlesea Blue Cab, 384-6111.

Citizens Area Transit will be offering free bus rides from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Designated Drivers Inc. will drive you and your car home for free until 5 p.m. New Years Day. Call 456-7433.

AAA is again offering its “Tipsy Tow” program; they will drive you and tow your car home for free until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Call (800) 222-4357.

(And in case you were wondering, my annual resolutions have nothing to do with driving. I usually try to lose weight, read more and write more. Generally I gain weight, read less and write less.)

HIT N’ RUN

What’s a New Years column without a music list. My favorites from ’07 to listen and sing along to while driving:

“Antichrist Television Blues” by Arcade Fire

“Dashboard” by Modest Mouse

“Roc Boys” by Jay Z

“Read My Mind” by The Killers

“1, 2, 3, 4” by Feist

“The Way I Are” by Timberland and Keri Hilson

“No One” by Alicia Keys

I’d live longer if radio stations would stop playing these songs:

“Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s — Makes me want to drive into another tree.

“Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie — Makes me want to drive into another tree sans seat belt.

“Crank That” by Soulja Boy — I know the kiddies love it, but what in heavens is he saying?

Anything by Britney Spears — When will we reach the caboose of this train wreck?

Happy New Year, everyone!

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Francis McCabe at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number.