BookLife Talks with John Reinhardt
A sponsored Q&A with the author of 'You’re Driving Me Crazy!'

In what BookLife Reviews calls a “no-nonsense guide to driving habits to be avoided,” debut author Reinhardt covers safe driving practices for new and old drivers in You’re Driving Me Crazy! We spoke with Reinhardt about his goals for the book and the driving statistic that troubles him most.

What “drove” you to write You’re Driving Me Crazy!?

The suggestions I provide in You’re Driving Me Crazy! have the potential to save lives and prevent injury. I’ve always had a love for driving. Over the years, I have been frustrated by other drivers’ lack of focus and respect for it. Unlike most things we do, driving has the potential to cause injury and death—not only to ourselves but to others. When we get behind the wheel, we have one job: get our passengers and vehicle safely to our destination without causing any problems for other drivers. Our passengers (and others on the road) are putting their lives in our hands. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t focus on their driving. As a result, accidents occur. My advice comes from years of studying bad driving behaviors. I hope You’re Driving Me Crazy! will help others to be safer drivers and prevent unnecessary accidents. 

Why do you think this book is particularly relevant now? 

Every time I get behind the wheel, I experience more and more drivers running red lights, disobeying road signs, and putting me and others at risk. When we have close calls or make mistakes, we can learn. Unfortunately, making a mistake while driving can result in injury or death. Imagine how terrible you’d feel if your bad driving caused someone else’s death. I’m hoping to prevent loss of life and years of guilt. I want to help others learn without making costly mistakes. As long as there are vehicles on the road driven by humans, the information in this book will apply.

What was the most shocking bit of data you found while writing You’re Driving Me Crazy!? 

More than six million preventable accidents occur every year in the U.S. alone. One statistic, however, really bothers me—the problems caused by the use of cell phones while driving. Nearly one-fourth of all accidents are related to cell phone use. Many drivers are more focused on their phone than their driving. I’d like to see some kind of technology that disables drivers’ cell phones when they’re behind the wheel.

Do you think your book is better given to someone with a fresh license or someone who’s been driving for 20 years?

This book is a must-read for all drivers. The information in You’re Driving Me Crazy! goes above and beyond the basics of driving. Everyone on the road has the potential to cause harm. Knowing what to look for and what to do when things go wrong is priceless. This book should be required reading for all new drivers, and it’s a great refresher for longtime drivers. Everyone who drives a vehicle will benefit, whether they’re young, old, a novice, or experienced. 

Are you working on anything new?

Besides my golf game? I have designed nearly 3,000 books during my long career in publishing and book design. I am currently writing a book about my life as a book designer. I’ve had the privilege to design many fascinating books and work with their equally interesting authors. I am choosing the most unique of both, making what I hope will be an entertaining and an educational book. To find out more about me and what I do, go to bookdesign.com. For more information about my book, You’re Driving Me Crazy!, go to youredrivingmecrazy.com.