Put Down The Phone, Blockhead

By Kenda - December, 12th 2013

Today I cursed in front of my child. As hard as I try to avoid that, it’s nearly impossible when you realize a two ton death machine is about to slam into you.

We were on a tight turn – designated 20 mph, by the way – when a white SUV barreled around the corner in the oncoming lane; crossing the line and taking up half of our lane. Luckily my reflexes are one of the few things left of my youth, because I was able to swerve and get out of the way. The driver was going much faster than 20 mph and not only was she wearing ear buds, but she was also texting. Yes, that’s a wonderful idea. Block out all sound and stop looking at the snow covered road.

Here’s the best part: she was my age. She was mid to late 30s and had two kids in the truck with her.

We constantly hear about how teens shouldn’t text and drive, but we’re missing a bigger mark. Adults are doing it and they aren’t apologetic. I can remember watching a conversation unfold online, shortly after another state outlawed texting while driving, and being amazed at the responses from adults. People posted everything from “I know how to text and drive” to “I’ve never been in an accident” and even “kids are just as distracting. Are we going to outlaw them too?”

Blockheads.

We’re talking about life or death, and not just your own. Over what? A text message. It’s depressing that the government has to outlaw something that should be common sense. If your eyes aren’t on the road, your chances of a having a really bad time go up (by 23% to be more precise). If you text while driving and you haven’t been in an accident yet…congratulations? Everyone who has killed someone because they were texting said the same exact thing…until they killed someone. There are plenty of people who have driven home so drunk they don’t remember getting from point A to point B and managed to not kill anyone. That isn’t skill – it’s luck. Luck runs out.

The average amount of time [1] a person looks at their phone while texting is 5 seconds (if you’re saying “I only take 3 seconds!” then add on 2 more for time to refocus on the road so your reflexes can adjust every time you look up). When going 55 mph, in the time it takes you to read a text, your car will travel over 130 yards. That’s the length of a football field. Would you drive down the highway and close your eyes for 5 seconds? Do it right now and you’ll see just how long 5 seconds is.

Adults Are Worse Than Teens

If you think teens make up the driving and texting majority, you’d be wrong. About 49% of adults say they’ve sent a text while behind the wheel while only 43% of teens say the same. And we aren’t just talking once in a while for something ‘really important’ because 40% of adults who text admitted that it is a habit [2]. There are approximately 180 million adult drivers in the United States [3]. That’s almost 90 million people who should know better.

There is no logical reason to send or read while your car is moving.

If someone is in danger, your house is on fire or your child is sick – you will get a phone call, not a text. If you get a text it’s something that can wait. Curiosity driving you crazy? Pull over. Forgot to tell your spouse to pick up construction paper for your son’s project that’s due tomorrow? Hey, there’s a curb…pull over. Or, here’s a novel idea, buy a Bluetooth and call them. No matter how annoying you think wearing an earpiece is, it’s nothing compared to picking out the right attorney for your vehicular homicide hearing.

If you have friends and family who just don’t get it and they keep texting you, get a driving safety app that will send an auto reply or even disable your texting when you go above 10 mph.

There is no excuse.

No text is worth the lives it could destroy.