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Can it wait?
Click on this link http://itcanwait.com, to take the pledge. Spread the word!
I know that I've been guilty of using my phone while driving and I've taken this pledge very seriously. I really had to stop and think, "is it really that important for me to answer my phone right now?" Many of us answer our phones or even text while driving as a natural reaction and do not necessarily think about the consequences of our actions.
Please share your reaction to this pledge!
I took the pledge. This is a pledge that should be advocated for and shared a lot more than it is not only with teens but with adults as well. I have been guilty of using my phone a time or two while driving, however, it is not something that I do and for a number of different reason. I have a 15 year old daughter who is already looking forward to getting her license and driving. When we are in the car together I never answer any calls or texts. Most often i'll have her pick up or response or I say, "It can wait." I have also worked in the litigation law field for over 12 years and at least 50% of my cases are wrongful death motor vehicle cases. I will never forget a case in which two 17 year old girls, who were best friends since grade school, got into an accident. The driver and the passenger had both been on cell phones. The driver survived but her best friend died on impact. Two families destroyed and all because texting and driving isn't addressed as much as it should be. I will share this pledge with my daughter.
ReplyDeletePlease do! Those are some scary statistics!
DeleteTexting and talking on the phone has become a huge issue over the last few years. People hear these terrible stories about the fatal accidents that happen because of people talking and texting on their cell phones. People tend to have this belief that it can't and won't happen to them. Statistics alone prove the dangers of using a phone while driving. People are so accustomed to instant gratification with todays evolving technology that it is almost second nature to just pick up the phone when its ringing even if you are driving. Text messages come and we have this urge to text back right away. By taking this pledge I am going to try to be more cautious about when I use my phone and finish conversations as I am getting in my car as opposed to starting them.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI think that the pledge is a good idea, but unfortunately like many pledges after the fact people forget about it because of habit. It is becoming harder for people to ignore when their phone goes off because our instinct tells us to answer right away. We have gotten so used to getting an immediate response from someone when we are texting that we forget that most topics can really wait. This is something that is hard to enforce for most individuals and not sure how society can deal with the problems that are continuing to rise.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, unfortunately!
DeleteI guess, we need to have wishful thinking and hope people will see the importance.
I think that part making a pledge work is being sure to take time to reflect about how you intend to truly carry this out. One strategy that I find super helpful is to keep my cell phone in my glove compartment when driving. I also remind myself regularly that my children are watching the way that I drive and are getting up close observations of my driving practices each time we get into the car. I think about what I want them to remember seeing me do when they begin driving some day.
ReplyDeleteRecently I was in a very minor car accident when someone who was not paying attention at all hit my car. I was so grateful that the impact was fairly minor and that it did not hurt my little one. We all make mistakes but we really can do our part to minimize the potential for accidents. Hopefully now that brain research proves that multi tasking really isn't good for us, maybe we will stop and think about which important task should have our full attention when we are driving... Driving :o)