This morning I’m driving to the shop when a car starts to wander into my lane. Thankfully I was paying attention and able to avoid being hit. I honked my horn and the the other car quickly jerked back into it’s lane. When I pulled up to the stop light a block or so away that same car was pretty far out into the intersection and the girl was holding a phone and looking down at it. Unfortunately this is not an unusual occurrence, we all see these kinds of things, unless we are the ones with the phone of course. The crazy thing is this could have ended badly for the other driver and myself. If a car would have been in the oncoming lane, I wouldn’t have been able to move over quickly, then I would have had to hit my brake and hope the guy behind was paying attention. The craziest part of all is if I had hit my brakes and the guy behind me rear ended me, it would have been his or my fault and the girl with the phone would have likely went on about her way with no consequence.
Today I take my stand against this, so what can I do? Well, I am writing this post in hopes that someone out there reads it and has the awakening to choose to put their phone away when driving. Most people would agree that drinking and driving is never okay, but did you know that According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving is six times MORE likely to cause an auto crash than driving when intoxicated.
Most of us are law abiding citizens but but did you know that As of January 1, 2014, a new law in Illinois bans the use of all hand-held devices while driving in Illinois. Only hands-free technology such as speakerphones, bluetooth, and headsets are permitted. In addition: (1) all cell phone use is prohibited while driving in a school zone; (2) all cell phone use is prohibited while driving in a highway construction zone, and (3) all cell phone use is prohibited if you are a novice driver. All Illinois drivers are prohibited from texting, so why are we breaking the law.
The statistics of distracted driving especially when texting are staggering. 3,477 deaths in 2015 due to distracted driving. That’s 3,477 to many. 391,000 injuries in 2015 due to distracted driving. 660,000 estimated number of people using their cell phone while driving each day. People who send or read text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident. A crash normally happens within 3 seconds of being distracted. The average driving distraction takes 5 seconds.
I can honestly say that I have never sent or received a text message that was worth a life. I today am making my pledge to never use my phone for any purpose while I am driving, it’s not worth it. I hope that you do the same. We have the power to stop this insanity, we need to do what is right hold yourself, family, friends, and everyone accountable for this. Take a few minutes when safely able to and search the web for the numerous heartbreaking stories of those who have lost their lives, I bet you’ll think twice next time.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PUT THE PHONE AWAY WHEN YOUR DRIVING!!!!!