Hundreds of YouTube videos, images and lessons later...I've finally found practical things to do to avoid the dangerous but addicting texting and driving. No, it isn' t drinking and driving but believe it or not statistics show it may be even more deadlier. Check out these stats from Edgar Snyder & Associates website:
Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25% of car accidents.
One-fifth of experienced adult drivers in the United States send text messages while driving.
In 2008 almost 6,000 people were killed and a half-million were injured in crashes related to driver distraction.
At any given time during daylight hours in 2008, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.
4 out of every 5 accidents (80%) are attributed to distracted drivers. In contrast, drunk drivers account for roughly 1 out of 3 (33%) of all accidents nationally.
Texting while driving is about 6 times more likely to result in an accident than driving while intoxicated.
People who text while driving are 23% more likely to be in a car accident.
A study of dangerous driver behavior released in January 2007 by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. found that of 1,200 surveyed drivers, 73% talk on cell phones while driving. The same 2007 survey found that 19% of motorists say they text message while driving.
Alarming isn't it? But if your like me even with all that information you still find yourself texting behind the wheel. Why is it so difficult to avoid grabbing that cellphone and begin viewing, typing and responding away? Sure you try to convince yourself that your breaking the Law doing it...the battle between your hands and your mind begin. " I should not be doing this," I said to myself, "Someone could get hurt what if I cause someone else to Die."!
After that the texting stop, but maybe a couple of miles of driving ahead the temptations come back like the smell of a 16oz steak in the middle of lunch....as weird and funny as that may sound the horrors of the potential consequences is unimaginable. So what can be done or what can you do to stop it? I found these couple of practical things to do to help remedy the addiction.
1. Admit that you have the problem and realize the problem is not the phone or person texting you, it' s you...Most use the excuse of well emergencies happen to text or answer,when most of the times there isn't an emergency. Still set up an Emergency Action Plan for yourself and family where the cell phone isn't the only option. If you're prepared you can be ready. ( Without it even if you answer or respond to the text ,if the news is terrible that alone may cause you to panic and have an accident). This website may help ...www.isc.sdsu.edu/study_abroad/forms/PersonalEAP.pdf
2. Try pulling over to the side if the texting or call come in back to back or if you sense it's an emergency. Read it or answer the phone and move on.( Emergency does not mean ...responding to a how's it going text?Or doing it every text) This is better than ending up or placing someone in an intensive care unit at a hospital.
3. Before you leave your house for the day and drive off be sure to answer any text prior to getting in the vehicle. You know your daily routine and the times you normally drive, so let your loved ones know not to text you or call you unless an emergency during that period of time you'll be driving.
4. Educate your family and loved ones the dangers of texting and driving while behind the wheel.
5.Place your cell phone somewhere to difficult or out of reach before you drive off that way you won't be able to grab the phone and answer or text. ( If you can' t get it ...your likely to stop and pullover somewhere it's better than while driving)
6. If you're going on a short drive and quickly returning to work or home, leave your phone inside the office or house. ( If it' s not there it can't distract you).
7. This is last resort...if everything else fails. Try to text only when you're at a red light and the vehicle is completely stopped. ( I started doing this and little by little I was able to completely stop texting while behind the wheel).
"These tips and suggestions are only a few of many available online and book stores. The real solution to the problem is in the person you look in the mirror everyday."
