texting and driving

I’ll admit it.

I’ve texted and driven before. I don’t know many people who haven’t. I’ve talked on the phone when driving, too. Sometimes, I still do — but with a speaker and don’t use my hands. All hands free. I even try to avoid that though.

It’s just not worth it.

All it takes is a moment for something to happen to you in the car. In a snap of the fingers, your life could end. Or you could be paralyzed. Something bad could happen to someone else.

All for a text?

Life is fragile. This isn’t a public service announcement or anything like that, but more me speaking out and hoping people are starting to realize that texting and driving is a very bad thing. Think about it. You are looking at a small screen and trying to type. You can’t be paying attention to your driving, which is more important.

I keep my phone in my pocket when I’m driving anymore. I won’t usually pull it out if it starts to ring or beep or vibrate for a text, call or e-mail. If I can pull over? Cool. If not, it’ll wait.

Remember, it’s not worth it.

One thing I ask is you take 10 minutes to watch the video I have linked below. It’s really moving and it’s real life. This is what CAN happen should you text and drive. Show friends. Show loved ones. And take it to heart.

I saw this a month or two ago and came across it again this week. It’s worth looking at and taking to heart.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (http://www.ghsa.org/), eight states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington, as well as Washington D.C., and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Too, these laws allow the police to cite you for using the phone without any other offense taking place. That’s good, I think.

In regard to texting, the GHSA notes 30 states, Washington D.C. and Guam ban texting for all drivers. Of those states, 11 enacted those laws in 2010.

Personally, I think this needs to become a federal thing. It’s dangerous and even those of us who have done something like this in the past, hopefully realize that it can’t continue.

I’m not saying I’m perfect. Everybody makes mistakes. Looks at something they shouldn’t probably check out while driving. But make the effort to pull over if you feel a text is so important it needs to be sent right away.

If not, it can wait.

Your life — or that of someone else — is much more important than the text.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com.