I read with great interest the report from Hadley Police Sgt. Mitchell Kuc, who remarked that the majority of the 400-500 accidents they dealt with happen on the towns Main Drag, Route 9 (Hadley police get unexpected clue in search for hit-and-run suspect, July 5).

It made me think about the causes, how fast they happen, and which are ones I am sometimes guilty of. I hope those who read this will look inside themselves, as well. Eight possible causes of fender benders:

1. Cell Phone behavior.

2. Reaching to change the station on the radio.

3. Driving with food or drink in one hand.

4. Distracted by someone walking by.

5. Leaning down to change the air conditioning controls.

6. Distracted by someone in a car in the opposite lane.

7. Following too close to be able to stop in time when the car in front of you suddenly jams on the brakes.

8. Finally, being too greedy to get ahead in the merges where double lanes get squeezed into one.

Id hate to see my lovely 1995 Toyota Celica Convertible banged by anyone doing any of these 8 dangerous and often mindless causes of accidents.

Sidney B. Simon

Hadley

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Sidney B. Simon: Advises self-awareness to avoid driving mishaps - GazetteNET