Texting and Driving. I have to admit, I’ve been guilty of it in the past, but it’s something I’ve really cracked down on myself about lately. It’s a surprisingly hard habit to break. We all know that we shouldn’t do it, every one knows it’s unsafe, and yet most people text and drive at least some of the time.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance are currently working to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. You can find out more about their “Decide to Drive” campaign here. I spent some time on their site today, and it’s full of helpful information for every driver, young and old. One thing that stood out to the most was their statement:
“Remember, the most advanced safety feature of any vehicle is the driver. The AAOS and the Auto Alliance urges all drivers to keep their most sophisticated safety features engaged at all times: eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.”
I thought that was such a good point! All the extra time and money we spend on the safest cars, and the top-of-the-line car seats for our kids, but then we put everything at risk when we drive distracted!
As my kids get older, I don’t want them to grow up seeing me text and drive. It would seem almost second nature to them as they get behind the wheel, to do it themselves. Instead, I want to make a point to put my phone away, and keep it away while I drive so that they know the correct way to drive and that it applies to all members of our family!
Even though I consider myself to be an extremely careful and safe driver, that doesn’t mean every one around me is being cautious! There have been so many times when some one will pull out in front of me or cut me off and I think to myself “If I had been texting and looking down for 2 seconds…” knowing that if I had been distracted in the slightest the outcome could have been much different. I feel like I have to be careful on behalf of myself, and other drivers, since not every one will be courteous and safe in their driving choices. It just makes me want to be all the more cautious! Even when it means waiting to text.
5 Ways to Break The Texting and Driving Habit
- Put it out of reach – Zip it in your purse, put it in the backseat, anything to keep it out of your reach. Anything can wait, and if it can’t then you should pull over anyway, so placing it out of reach will make you do that instead of checking.
- Use Your Car – Some vehichles have handy features that allow you to talk (or text by talking) without removing your hands from the wheel. If your car has one of these, hook it up and start using it!
- Think about your kids – Do you want your kids to do it? Of course not, so don’t set the example for them.
- Think about everyone – One unsafe driver makes the entire road unsafe. Don’t be that driver on the road that makes every one else have to overcompensate to try and avoid danger.
- Get a new phone – We often tell ourselves we can “text without looking” getting a new phone should make you just uncomfortable enough to realize that you CANT text without looking, and you can’t do it safely either!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Danielle B says
Awww yes, the distracted driver who causes the accidents! I’m sorry there is NO excuse for texting a driving. And I wish EVERYONE who did it, would be caught and get a HEFTY (maybe a $5,000, no license for LIFE) fine. Then maybe they would stop. No text is that important. PULL OVER if you MUST text. but your stupidity puts mine and my faly’s life at risk. People have died after being hit by someone like YOU. How abiut one of the 5, should be I don’t want to KILL my kids?!! Not, I don’t want them to see me text. Ugh.
Texting was not even available when I was learning to drive. Cell phones were around, there were even car phones. And this was in the early 90s.
PLEASE USE YOUR BRAIN, BEFORE YOU KILL OR MAME SOMEONE FOR LIFE!!! Because you HAD to send a text. There are apps that you get that will prevent you from receiving and sending texts. I suggest you get one.
You certainly wouldn’t drink and drive, so why text and drive?? What’s that important? To FB, blog, send a stupid “LOL” text? You out your children’s life at risk every time you text.
And NO most people do NOT text and drive, MOST people have a brain and know better than to text and drive.
Kay (A Ranch Mom) says
It is dangerous to text and drive, but research has proven that the single MOST dangerous thing we do while driving is daydreaming. I am sure no one is innocent of this fault. We all make mistakes in life, and even dumb decisions. We do well to extend grace to others.
Danielle B says
Having had a dear friend die in sn accident because someone HAD to send that all “urgent text” makes you extend NO grace to anyone for their lack caring for others. No grace for stupidity.
As for the daydreaming that’s a new one to me. I call hogwash. Texting is no worse than drunk driving, and I’m sure each of you would be just as apauled if she admitted to that, or would you???
This young generation needs to wake up and GROW UP!
Kay (A Ranch Mom) says
Danielle, I am so sorry you lost your friend in such a manner! I lost a sibling in a car crash, and I know how hard it is to process. I agree that no text is important enough to send while driving.
Paula says
Danielle, I’m so sorry for your loss, and that’s precisely why I don’t text and drive anymore. I don’t want to be a danger to myself or any one around me. That was the point of this article.
I said “most” people do it, simply by judging by the cars I see around me. Literally every time I drive my car some where I see multiple people in other vehichles texting. Maybe it’s just worse in my part of the country, but it definitely seems like most people do it here. Not AT ALL making it okay, it’s just one of the reasons why I decided to go ahead and write this post, since it’s an important safety topic that many people don’t want to talk about, because they’ve been guilty of it at some point or another.
Louise says
In Ireland they are trying to bring in a law that means you cant so much as touch a phone or electronic device while driving!! I have occasionally (well, maybe twice) used Siri to text but I avoid it as much as I can! I always turn on “Do Not Disturb” when I drive unless my girlfriend is in the car with me, to answer any calls or texts!!
Another handy tip is to download an app that automatically replies to a caller or text with a text telling them that you are driving and will call or text back when you can! there are a few out there that can automatically detect when you are travelling at certain speeds and turn on automatically so you don’t even have to remember to activate it!
Paula says
I think that’s awesome that they made such a law. I think they need to crack down on the laws regarding it here, for sure. It’s literally EVERYWHERE I look!
Amanda says
Wow, Danielle, what a harsh comment! It’s amazing to me the things that get on peoples nerves!
Paula, I do not suffer from this, mainly because I do not have text on my phone (well, I do, but I don’t use it – I would if my hubby would let me lol) but you are so right…putting your phone somewhere that you have to pull over to get it is probably one of the best ideas to stop texting and driving! Keep doing your best! Your posts are always so encouraging and refreshing in their honesty!
Paula says
Thanks Amanda!
Kay (A Ranch Mom) says
I think the ‘good example’ is the biggest motivator for me to not text and drive! My kids are getting close to driving, and I really want it to be known as off limits. :) But I daresay there are more people guilty of this than they would care to admit. (guilty!)
Paula says
I think so too! Just judging by how many people I see literally every time I get into my car. It really seems like every one is doing it or has done it, and it’s just not safe. :( Which is why I wrote this! One less person driving unsafely! ;)