No Phone Zone
Last night while folding laundry, I put on an episode of Oprah from earlier in the week. The guests began sharing the dangers of texting and talking on the phone while driving, which lead to the death of a loved one. The stories literally froze my body and grabbed my heart. Their words filled me with fear that one day their fate could be my own. I text / talk constantly in the car and without thinking. What’s worse, this means I drive without thinking! There is nothing urgent enough that cannot wait until I am back home or at my destination. I’ve been aware of the dangers for a long time. I tried to cut back by reading or replying at red lights but it doesn’t end there (it’s a slippery slope). There is a time and place for everything. We must be fully aware of our actions when in control of a four thousand pound vehicle.
My reasons for stopping: I am a mother to three precious children. They deserve to grow up knowing their mother’s love, for this reason I will never text again while driving. I am the wife of an amazing man. We have great plans to grow old together, for this reason I will never text again while driving. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, a cousin, a Godmother, a niece, and friend. I still have many more memories to create with the people I love. Someone else is equally important in the lives of others and should not be at risk from my foolish behavior. For this reason and many others, I will never text again while driving.
We must have a nationwide movement to pass laws in all states banning texting while driving. 90% of Americans agree but do it anyway. Use your common sense, commit to saving lives. Do not learn this lesson the hard way.
http://www.oprah.com/questionaire/ipledge.html?id=4
Thank you goddess for your words of wisdom. We often forget that our acts effect others, mostly those that we love. A simple return to yesteryear when we drove without interruption would be a perfect solution. No phones to answer. No text to respond to. I have since put my phone on silence when I drive so that I’m not even tempted to answer. (Now if I can only remember to turn the ringer back on once I’m back home!) Oh well, one safe step at a time!
I’m also cutting back on txting or calling someone when I know they are driving. Unless it’s an emergency things will wait. I’m thankful I finally GOT IT!
I’m glad you finally got it too. I was behind a guy just the other day who was all over the road with cell phone clenched in his hand. He was definitely texting. We all need to slow down. For some further information, there is an article in the July archive entitled, Texting and Driving which contains some alarming statistics.
i’ve been employed in a field that makes auto accidents a daily reality. until there are stiff penalties put into place for texting while driving, these tragedies will continue. yes, i urge all of you to make the commitment presented to us “i will never text again while driving”. protect yourselves and, as importantly, protect those around you.
LETS MAKE IT A Law.
We need to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
As a Teen,you would think that I would be for texting but… My parents do not have texting on our plans,and I just found out that one of my frinds (Who just turned 16) was harmed in a car crash WHILE TEXTING. Now thinking about it I am glad that my parents did that.
Cody R. Jenkins