Today I watched the Oprah Show and the topic was talking on cell phones/texting while driving (click here for more info on today's show). I know it's something we all know we're not supposed to do (in my state, California, it is illegal to talk on your cell phone if you do not use a headset device). But I know that for some of us, laws and common sense still do not stop us.
Since it's the law, I never, ever use my cellphone when I'm driving now unless I have the phone on speakerphone or use my ear piece. But I will admit to you that every once in a while, if I see that I have a new text message or email, I will sneak a peek at the message while at a red light. But you know what? I'm the first one to admit that this is wrong, and I swear to you that I will never do it again.
On the Oprah show today, Oprah spoke to people who have lost loved ones due to cellphone-related crashes. One woman in particular lost her mother due to a man who was engrossed in a cellphone conversation and ran a red light. At this point I think we really need to ask ourselves, "Is anything that you're talking about or texting about worth a HUMAN LIFE?"
Now, there are a lot of us who may say, "I'm a great driver and I can multi-task, no problem." Well, that's what all of these people said before their crashes. It only takes a split second of distraction to cause something that will change or end lives. We have to remember that, no matter how much we think we can handle when it comes to driving and cellphone use.
The next time you're tempted to use your cellphone when you're driving, please remember these statistics: Your chances of getting into an accident while just TALKING on your phone: 1 in 8. Your chances of getting into an accident while texting on your phone? One in four. Is it really worth it?
If you feel as passionately as I do about this, I urge you to take Oprah's No Phone Zone Pledge:
As I write this, 22,442 people have already pledged to no longer use their cellphones while driving (including me). Not to sound over-dramatic, but honestly, people's lives are at stake here. If you feel inclined to take the pledge with me, please show your support (and of course leave a comment here letting me know you did it!). Thank you!
And while I'm on my soapbox, if you have not yet donated to the Haiti earthquake victims, I urge you to tune in this Friday, Jan. 22, to the Hope for Haiti telethon and call to donate. The telethon will air in the US simultaneously, without commercial interruption, at 8PM on these channels:
MTV Networks' "Hope for Haiti" is a global telethon set to air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on Friday, January 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The telethon will be hosted by George Clooney in Los Angeles, Wyclef Jean in New York and CNN's Anderson Cooper in Haiti.
I know that money's tough for all of us right now, but if we've got a roof over heads, food in our stomachs and clothes on our backs, I hope you'll agree that giving even $5 to the thousands of people who now lack those essentials is the least we can do.
Thank you!
R. xo
I know a girl that died in a car accident this past fall..She was only 18 and a college freshman..She was texting on the highway and didn't see that the semi in front of her had stopped.
ReplyDeleteJulie: Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a tragic story with us. My heart just breaks when I hear about these tragedies that could have been completely avoided. Ah...it's making me tear up just thinking about it. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of using my cell phone while driving (and I live in CA too) but only when I'm a few blocks from my husband's house to tell him I'm outside. Other than that, I dont see a reason to be on your phone for talking or texting purposes while driving. That stuff can wait til you're parked somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I put this up there with drinking and getting behind the wheel.
ReplyDeleteIt might be off topic but I love this post. As a rule, my cell is for emergency only, and I mean it. I was hit by a truck driver who wasn't watching the lights and ran a red while talking on his cell a few years back. I was fine but I was lucky. I find constant cell use reckless and rude. I can't stand seeing young adults, at a restaraunt with family, texting away. Get off the phone!
ReplyDeleteYou know what? Thank you for posting this. Last year for our bio class we went to a hospital and had a lecture about the dangers of not paying attention on the road. Most of it was about drinking and driving, but talking/texting on your phone is a big distraction also.
ReplyDeleteNext time I'm in the car, and my dad's phone rings, I know who will be answering it, and it won't be him (the driver).
We just had a law passed about no texting/talking on your cellphone while driving, and it seems like not a lot of people are abiding by it, I just hope that something tragic doesn't have to happen in order for people to open up their eyes.
I live in California too, and though I don't drive, I have noticed some of my friends still talk on their phones without ear piece things and text and stuff. I think it's pretty sad, especially since it's easy to find the ear pieces now.
ReplyDeleteBut my big problem with that law is that even with a headset on you're usually devoting too much attention to your conversation. Everyone I see with those ear piece things is totally engrossed in what they're talking about. Almost moreso than the people who are holding their phones. It's really hard to get their attention. I think that's pretty lame.
I hate seeing people talking on those ear pieces anyway in public, because they're totally ignoring everyone around them and tend to cause problems because of it. -_- And they're so rude to cashiers and stuff since they're too busy with their phone conversations. Drives me insane. I think maybe everyone just needs to realize that there are times and places for talking on the phone.
Great post. All so true. I don't drive and luckilly i don't know anyone who would do anything on their phone while they drive.
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for mentioning Haiti, it's so distressing to hear about. I'm doing a blog sale where some of the proceeds will go to charities to help. If anyone would like to look you can find it at: www.lillianfunnyface.blogspot.com
What a great post. Using your cell phone while driving is against the law here in Japan, and is ticketed in the same way that speeding is!
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