As the parent of a college and high school student it amazes me how much they rely on their mobile phones to communicate. What amazes me more is how much they use their devices for text messaging vs. talking. What really scares me is when a teenager or anyone tries to text message when behind the wheel of a car.
Driving any vehicle requires the full concentration from the driver. Not only do you need to concentrate on driving, but also on other drivers, obstacles in the road, people on bicycles and other things, such as people in crosswalks or just crossing the street. If someone tries to text message while doing all of these activities the chances of causing or being part of an accident drastically increase. I just think how hard it is to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Driving is something that we all get better at over time. A young driver needs to concentrate and focus on driving and avoid as many distractions as possible. When I started driving in 1976, I was a teenager and thought I knew everything there was to know about driving. I had my driver’s license for less than a month and decided to drive a car full of friends for ice cream on a rainy night. I was trying to drive in the rain while talking, changing the radio and focusing on my friends. That must have been when that large rock jumped in front of my car. Luckily no one was injured (except my pride); however my parents pulled my driving privileges for a month. I can only think this would have been a serious accident if I added text messaging into the mix. But in 1976 we didn’t have mobile phones available.
Below are some tips to remind your children of as well as anyone you know who is driving a vehicle:
- Don’t text and drive. No text message is worth the distraction.
- Ask passengers to help by changing the CD or radio station, placing a cell phone call, or reading directions to you.
- If you don’t have a passenger, wait until you come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign before changing the CD or radio station.
- If you need to make or take a call or respond to a text, wait until your trip is complete or pull over to do so.
- Never use your phone to take pictures, send and read messages, record video, or watch TV while driving.
- It’s best not to eat and drive at the same time. If you’re traveling with someone, take turns driving while the passenger eats.
- Avoid stressful or emotional conversations while driving.
- Use hands-free options or voice-activated dialing
- Don’t be a “rubbernecker.” Let your passengers do the sightseeing while you drive.
- Make safety your most important call. In the case of an emergency, a cell phone can be a very useful tool. Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call.
Please do what you can to encourage safe driving for your family and friends. Do you have teenagers that drive? Remind them never to text and drive, no message is worth the risk.
Cory says:
December 19, 2009 at 11:09 am
Great post and great tips Michael. Anything that takes your concentration off of driving is a bad thing. I was never one to text while driving, but I’m even more conscientious about it than ever now that I’m often driving with an infant in the backseat. Keeping myself safe is important, but keeping my wife and daughter safe is paramount.
Becky says:
December 30, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Amen! Scares the fool out of me when I see this. I am ALWAYS cautioning my college student about this. Great post.
Felicia says:
February 25, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Great post and thank you for all the tips. I will actually sit and count how many people I see on the phone or texting when I am a passenger in a car. It’s crazy how many people are paying more attention to the phone that the car–you can SEE it! Obviously a pet-peeve of mine, but only because it is just not safe. Not only is it teens who should have more concentration on the road than the more experienced drivers, but I see older people doing it as well. Just plain dangerous!