I used to text and drive all the time, and scorned the laws that said I mustn't. I've never caused an accident, never strayed out of my lane, or even close to

I used to text and drive all the time, and scorned the laws that said I mustn't. I've never caused an accident, never strayed out of my lane, or even close to the edge, never slowed way down, never changed lanes nor turned without appropriate safety precautions first... but I've stopped. Not because of the law, or my wife's pleading, not even because I want to set a good example to my kids. But because a) I realized I was, in fact, subdividing my attention and giving too little to the more complex activity, b) I'm not nearly important enough that anyone needs an instant response to a text to me, and c) it gives me a built-in excuse to enjoy alone-time while I'm driving. Now I do occasionally sneak a look at my incoming texts or emails when I'm waiting at a red light. That's illegal too, and I don't really understand why. Maybe because it's too tempting to continue the activity after the light turns green. What really chaps my hide though, are the cops who will write you a ticket for sneaking a glance at your phone, while they have a freakin' laptop on a shelf right there in the front seat, for looking up hot women's license plates while they're tailing them.