Texting & Driving With A Twist…

I am all for promoting safety when it comes to driving. Too many tragedies occur due to drunk drivers or people talking on their cell phones. In fact, even when using “hands free” devices, people are still too distracted talking to drive safely. And now it’s been reported that texting while driving is even more dangerous than driving under the influence. The law is cracking down on drivers who break these laws with big fines and points on their license. So why am I peeved today?

I just heard that people who text drivers while they are driving are also going to be held accountable and responsible for any accidents they may get in. Of course the person texting the driver has to be aware that the person that are texting is operating a vehicle in order to get in trouble. If there is evidence of that, they will also be guilty of breaking the law. And this is where I think the law has gone too far! Where do you draw the line?

I fail to understand how all the culpability is not on the driver of the car when he, and he alone, decides it’s ok to answer his phone or read and reply to a text message? No one is putting a gun to his head and saying he has to answer every call or respond to every message, right? Last time I heard we all had free will and a reasonably functioning brain. What is so hard about the “No texting or using a cell phone when driving,” rule? It seems clear cut to me. There are no exceptions stipulated. Just a big fat DON’T DO IT rule.

Drivers are expected to follow dozens of laws and rules regarding safe driving. The onus is on the driver to do the right thing, whether that means going the posted speed limit, wearing a seat belt, abstaining from alcohol or shutting the cell phone OFF when driving. If a bartender or host of a party serves a driver a drink or two, are they also going to get in trouble if the driver gets behind the wheel and has an accident? What about the supermarket selling beer? What if the driver drinks it in the parking lot before taking off and has an accident? Is it the supermarket’s fault? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get it.

The law should be tough on anyone who gets n their car and puts others on the road needlessly at risk because of their actions. Cell phones have been deemed to cause more accidents than alcohol. Crack down on drivers who won’t obey the rules. There are plenty of them. Almost everyone has a cell phone and I can’t tell you how many drivers I see every day chatting away with the phone in one hand and the wheel in the other. There should be a stiff penalty for first time offenders and then harsher penalties for second and third time offenders until people take it seriously. There is no excuse good enough for putting people’s lives in danger, and there is no one to blame except the driver, when he doesn’t obey the law.

Texting, Driving & Kids...

When it comes to driving, you just can’t be too careful. Something can happen, that requires a fast split-second response, that can either save you or cost you your life. Kids don’t get that. I was reading a heartbreaking and tragic story yesterday about a young college student who was texting while driving. She was killed. Her final text was: "I can't discuss this now. Driving and facebooking is not safe! Haha." 

Taylor Sauer, 18, was driving home in January, to visit her parents in Idaho, and while driving she was texting her friend about the Denver football team. She was going over 80 miles per hour in Interstate 84 when she crashed into a tanker truck that was going up a hill at 15 mph. She died instantly. Her cell phone records show she was texting every 90 seconds during her trip. Taylor knew she was doing the wrong thing at the time, she even said so in her text. But, kids think nothing bad can ever happen to them. Idaho is one of 13 states that does not ban texting while driving. But, even if they had a law in place, are kids deterred from texting?

Taylor was an honor student. She graduated from high school with a 3.9 GPA and was class salutatorian . She was active in community service. She played softball. And even with all her intelligence, she stills thinks, like every other 18 year old, that she is invincible. Now all her parents want is for Idaho to pass a law banning the use of texting while driving. They are fighting for this just two months after their daughter’s death.I can’t imagine how devastated they must be. I am including the video of the story below, which includes what Taylor’s parents are trying to do the change the law and prevent any more deaths due to using devices while driving.

There are many stories just like this one. Passing a law may deter some students, but not all. Kids need a visual. The school system needs to educate students long before they get their license about the dangers of using cell phones in any way, while driving. I tell my own kids not to play with the radio dial or pop in their cds while driving. The reason is that I noticed they would take their eyes off the road for a split second to see what they were doing. It made me nervous and I begged them not to do that unless they were stopped at a red light. As long as the car is moving, you need to focus your attention 100% on driving and what’s going on around you. You can’t be too safe. I just hope they are listening to me and get it. I hope they read this blog and watch the video. No parent should have to go to their 18 year old’s funeral because they made the mistake of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. No parent should be told their child will never walk again or suffered brain damage because they spent a few seconds texting and crashed. There are no do-overs. You can’t turn back time. The damage is done. There are enough risks to driving, without adding more dangerous and unnecessary ones to the list.

Maybe, if you have a young driver in your family, you should let them watch the video and have a discussion that could save their life today.

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