As a runner, walker and sometimes bicyclist, I welcomed Steve Abel’s column on sharing the road between cyclists and motorists (“Laws and courtesy should rule the road,” May 29).

With no separate paths on Vashon for those of us who prefer not to drive everywhere we go on the island, it’s critically important that we all recognize the rights of others. I’d just like to add one more issue to his list.

When I walk the roads, I’m positioned to observe all the drivers holding onto and using phones. And for some reason, maybe because we generally don’t drive freeway speeds here, the number of Vashon drivers who choose to talk on their phones while driving is more common than elsewhere and seems to be increasing.

I can think of four good reasons why we shouldn’t do this: It’s dangerous; it sets a bad example, not only for others in your car, but for the other calling party; you don’t really know who’s observing your disrespect for others, and it’s against the law.

I’d be willing to bet that most of the drivers who talk and/or text while driving wouldn’t think of routinely running stop signs, driving while drunk or, heaven forbid, not waiting their turn at the four-way stops, but the principle is the same. And it’s more obvious to observers than you might think.

— Charlie Peterson