Photo Credit: Reflections by PJ

Texting and driving.  We’ve all done it and if you haven’t done it, you’re amazing (and probably really old!) We know it’s bad, but it’s so hard to avoid.

I’ve had a cell phone since I was in 9th grade which was a REALLY long time ago, but basically, I’ve been able to text without looking at the phone for like twelve years.  As technology has evolved, it’s become more and more convenient to communicate with people via-text and has made life easier for the multi-tasking mama.

As parents, our priority is…well there are a ton…but one of them is the safety of our children and anytime we get on the phone while driving, even to make a phone call, we are losing our focus on the road and putting our children in danger.  The average text takes 4.6 seconds to read and respond to and if you’re a driver going 55 mph it would take you from one side of a football field to the other.  A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident or have a near-accident experience than one who is solely focusing.

Earlier this week, while making my daily commute to east Austin, I observed a woman with two car seat-aged children texting while driving and swerving into the shoulder.  I was so angry! Not only because she was swerving and then slamming on her breaks but she kept doing it for at least 3 miles with her precious babies in the car.  What was so important at 7:30 am?

Now, don’t get me wrong–I hate to be a hypocrite, I text and drive, but I try my best not to do it while on a highway, during rush hour or when there are kids in the car.  BUT that’s not the point…I still do it and it’s still dangerous.  Even if my baby isn’t in the car that doesn’t mean someone else’s baby isn’t in the car that I might crash into.

I think the universe has come to 100% agreement that texting and driving (especially with children in the car) is NOT safe.  My reason for the blog today is to discuss the pressure we feel to respond and how to remedy this epidemic. More and more accidents are caused by texting and driving (or distracted driving) every year and kids are getting cell phones younger and younger.  Try telling a kid who has had a cell phone since Kinder that they can’t use it while driving…exactly…easier said than done!

So…these are my thoughts…

1.) Do you ever feel like our society is so fast-paced that you’re almost pressured to respond as soon as your phone dings regardless of what is happening around you?  I mean BlackBerry Messenger has a built in “read” feature and now the iPhone does, too AND nothing is crazier than knowing someone has read your message and hasn’t responded! What are they doing that they can’t respond?  Going to the bathroom–nope, people take their phones, having a conversation with someone–nope, people text while talking to others all the time even thought it’s rude…

2.) How do we avoid texting and driving?  Having our phone too far away is dangerous but having it within reach is tempting.  What’s the answer?

What do you think Austin Moms?

One lucky commenter is going to get an extra enter in next week’s giveaway and a $20 gas gift card to be used while driving and NOT texting! 🙂

 

 

11 COMMENTS

  1. It is too tempting. Perhaps putting your phone on silent so that you can’t hear it ring or ding? Typically, whatever someone is calling or texting about can wait until you arrive at your destination!!

  2. I have been tempted myself, but all I have to do is glance in the rearview mirror and see that sweet face to know it isn’t the thing to do. We live fast paced lives, but we need to be able to detach even if its just for a few minutes in the car singing to our fav song or chatting with our little one. Returning those messages can wait until I reach my destination or least pull over to a safe area to stop.

  3. Keep the phone in your purse while driving. The most important thing is the safety of the babies.. Also the babies need their Mom so don’t text even if your baby is not in the car!,

  4. I can’t win this contest, BUT I don’t care if people have to wait on me for a response! So in terms of our society being too fast paced with high expectations…  here’s my tongue out to you…wah! HOWEVER, I text and drive all the time. Mostly at stop lights or waiting in a drive thru line for my Starbucks, but regardless, I need to be better about it. Typically I just make the phone call and tell the person “sorry I’m driving and don’t want to kill myself and my kid”!

  5. If I “have to” (quotes intentional) text while I’m driving, I’ll usually pull over or wait until I get somewhere to do so. It’s something I can use a reminder about, though, so thank you for this.

  6. I am a busy mom and I also have a stressful fast paced job thay literally involves me being on my phone allll day. Whether it is texting, emailing or talking…I did it all while driving on a daily basis. My boss would text me and expext me to respond in an instant. However, our company recently discovered a free ap called HEYTELL. Its just like using a nextell, intead of texting, you talk and it goes directly to the other person. Basically, it gets the message across and.it is a lot safer than texting. I would never ever text and drive with my precious cargo in my backseat. I think its a huge risk and very unsafe. Also you are putting other peoplw on the road in danger. It is illegal in georgia.

  7. I’ll admit I have done it but only while at stop lights. I have told myself not to do it anymore though. People can wait!

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