It’s no wonder that distracted driving is so prevalent. We’re all used to “quickly” checking our phones countless times every day, and people have so many responsibilities that it can be hard to find a free moment. It makes sense to want to multitask in the car by making a quick phone call or having a snack. Unfortunately, humans are not as skilled at multitasking as they think, and distracted driving results in an average of eight deaths every day in the U.S., plus countless additional injuries. To avoid a tragedy in your family and someone else’s, start working on dropping these three distracting habits today. TEXTING. Everyone knows they shouldn’t text and drive, but millions of people still do it every day. It’s not just texting that’s problematic, either. Reaching for the phone, checking who left a message, or quickly looking at the weather can all cause a collision. In fact, reaching for or using one’s phone accounts for about 14% of all distracted driving accidents. EATING. Virtually every vehicle has a cupholder, and drive-thrus are on every corner. When you’re busy, you want to eat on the go. Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous practice. The actual act of eating isn’t so risky as everything else that surrounds it — opening a beverage, reaching for a napkin, or digging into the bag for some french fries all take your focus off the road. CONVERSING. Talking on the phone using a hands-free device is legal in Oregon, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe. Similarly, if you’ve got a passenger in the car, it’s natural to
want to have a conversation with them. Talking while driving is both enjoyable and sometimes necessary, so it will never be completely eliminated. But it’s important to be mindful of how much attention the conversation is taking from your driving responsibility. If you can’t focus on both, driving safely always needs to come first. Perhaps surprisingly, about 62% of distracted driving accidents are caused by people simply getting lost in their thoughts. Wandering thoughts aren’t always something you can control, but they are something to be aware of. Now that you know just how dangerous having your head in the clouds can be, it will serve as a reminder to keep your mind grounded on the road.
PUZZLE
Chicken and Leek Filo Pie Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
Ingredients
Directions
• 3 oz unsalted butter, divided • 2 large leeks, finely sliced • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flour • 14 oz chicken stock, warmed • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp heavy cream • 12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. 6. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish. 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. 9. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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