Driving is more than just getting there at ULV

by Bailey Porter
LV Life Editor

You over-slept. Again. You have a lot to do before you sit down in class, and not much time to get there.

As a commuter, the drive to school is about much more than just getting to your destination.

University of La Verne students have found time-saving strategies that do not necessarily keep their eyes on the road but do get them ready for a day on campus.

"If I wake up late, I'll put on makeup," said Mila Gueorguieva, freshman criminology major.

Junior psychology major Tammy Hyde also uses her driving time to put on makeup.

She keeps all her makeup essentials in her car and has perfected her skills using no more than three red traffic lights to apply the makeup.

"The really bad thing is that I live only two lights away so it's really hard to get everything done in time," she said.

Hyde said that she always uses her hands-free phone in the car and only takes her eyes off the road when she's at a stop. She credits her multitasking routine with giving her time to sleep late.

Other students treat their driving time as mealtime.

"It's the only time I have to eat," said Jason Cortez, senior communications major.

In his commute, Cortez is usually talking on his cell phone and eating while driving with his knee, he said.

This does not promote safe driving, according to Insure.com, a Web site of insurance directories.

On the list of top-10 foods that are most likely to cause car accidents are coffee, soup, tacos and jelly or cream filled donuts.

Basically any food that risks being slopped over the top of its container or dripped onto your shirt at a turn or bump in the road should not be eaten while driving, according to the Web site.

It causes more distractions, and you are more likely to try to clean up the mess while still driving, especially when you are on the way somewhere.

Some students have heeded warnings set by traffic tickets or accidents.

"If I get one more point on my record, I'll never drive again," said Rebekah Hoffman, junior English major.

Hoffman, who once read in the car, now sticks to the relatively safe act of singing in the car and driving the speed limit.

singing in the car is a definite. As many people listen to music to make their drives more enjoyable, she said that she looks through her CD case when driving.

Often one becomes so absorbed in the music, that is all one hears, leading to unsafe driving conditions, said Insure.com.

Tammy Rudin, senior broadcasting major, finds herself going through a ritual when she's in her car.

She always kisses her fingers and touches the ceiling of her car when she goes through a yellow light, she said.

Similarly, sophomore communications major Mike Myers always drives with his left foot up against the dashboard.

Whether practicing rituals like these or multitasking, students are finding ways to get to class the best they can.