Texting and driving.....
By lumenmom
@lumenmom (1986)
United States
October 18, 2010 10:43am CST
Today as I was dropping my daughter off at school, I passed a car repair shop the had a very mangled car which looked it was ready for the junkyard. The car was a dusty grey, but what was most noticable was the bright neon green sign that had the words "do not text and drive" written on it. It was the boldest message I had ever seenon this subject, but it made me stop and think. Even though I don't text and drive, there are some other things I do that are not safe when I am in a hurry. Just this morning I was going fast around a curve and trying to dig in my purse. It startled me how quickly I almost went off the road. I then decided it would be best to slow down and reach my destination safely rather than risk a serious accident. Now that almost everyone has a cellphone, is it a big problem on our highways....the texting and/or talking while driving? Do you know of any incidents first hand?
3 people like this
20 responses
@girlaloosh01 (154)
• Philippines
19 Oct 10
Oh. Texting while driving is very common in all countries. It is like a "tradition" that everyone with cars is doing this kind of stuff. No matter how many times you advice them, they will not follow the rule for so many reasons and excuses. But I'm very pleased that my parents aren't doing this. Maybe yes, but only "once in a blue moon." And sometimes, while my dad is driving, he gives his phone to my mom so she could answer it.
@crimiloilo123 (77)
• Philippines
19 Oct 10
don't text while you drive..and dont drive when you text..maybe this will be helpful and I think this is the one factors why people lead to accident in roads,yes,we love our life and family,but what is the used of that love if our family is crying on your coffin.Well sorry for advance thinkin of it but this will served as a lesson to all of us.
1 person likes this
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
18 Oct 10
My sister was in a minor car accident and she said when she got hit by the girl that she heard the girl on her cell phone saying "hold on I just hit someone". But my sister didn't fight it because the girl was claiming she didn't use her turn signal and she couldn't prove otherwise. Here it isn't against the law to talk on your cell phone yet, so I don't think the other girl would have been found at fault anyway. I had gotten an email a few months back about not talking on your cell phone and what could happen. It had some very graphic pictures of a bad accident and the guy had been on his cell phone. I try not to talk on my cell phone when I'm driving. It is scary how quickly you can go of the road just being a little distracted.
1 person likes this
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
19 Oct 10
It really is scary and that's got me thinking even more that I have to watch the other drivers. This takes defensive driving to a whole new level. I really feel for your sister. Even if she did forget to use her turn signal, had the girl been paying attention, the accident could have been avoided.
@JudgeIronFist (2472)
• Singapore
19 Oct 10
Yea it's best to focus fully on the roads when you're behind the wheel. You never know what may happen next. In my country, a lot of drivers, despite advice by the traffic police, they still text or talk on the phone while driving. That's why a majority of the accidents on the roads are caused by these irresponsible freaks. After the accident, they'll be so freaking daring as to file a false report and claim back the insurance. I hope these people die as soon as possible.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Doing anything distracting while you are driving is a BAD IDEA. I have a friend who talks and texts on the phone all the time while she's driving. It makes me really nervous and I'm constantly telling her to stop. She thinks that she's really good at multitasking, but I think she's headed for trouble.
When you're driving you need to keep your attention on the road. Driving is dangerous enough when you're not distracted so be sure to eliminate all the distractions. I think talking and texting while driving are equally bad and there should be laws against both.
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
19 Oct 10
My sister does that too and she also thinks she's very good at that type of multi tasking. So far she's had no mishaps, but it is dangerous to take those chances. You do need to have your full attention on the road if for no other reason than knowing there are all kinds of people out there driving with you, many are distracted and will make mistakes.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
18 Oct 10
I feel that if you do anything other than driving when on the road it can cause an accident. It only takes a moment of distraction that can cause one. When you sit in a car to go somewhere, doesn't matter where, we take a chance. It isn't just ourselves we have to be concerned about, it is the other drivers as well.
I live on a busy street here, most of the accidents are either from cell phone usage while driving, or Drinking. In the last few years it is more of the cell phone usage or I just looked away for a second....
It is better to get all calls done before driving or pull over if it is that important it can't wait.
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
19 Oct 10
I think some people will never recognize the importance of pulling over or just waiting unless something happens to them. Then they will see how very unimportant that call or text was that then caused them so much trouble. You basically hit the nail on the head though.....we should not be doing anything else but concentrating on driving when we are on the road.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Could you imagine if every driver would do that. Actually pay attention while driving a vehicle. How much safer it would be for all of us. Again that is only a dream, drinking, cell phones, and other things seem to be more important than our life or someone else, until like you say it happens to you.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Thankfully I do not know of any first hand instances! But I know I have had to swerve a time or two because I thought I could text and drive. I do not do that anymore as there are lots of people killed each year by negligent drivers! Now if we can just get people to stop drinking and driving!
@teenymarie (107)
• United States
18 Oct 10
We have cars like that around the holidays that say "don't drink and drive" but haven't seen one about texting. Thankfully I don't know anyone who has been seriously hurt while texting and driving, but I do know alot of people that do it. It's scary how many distracted drivers are on the road, not just texting but with lots of other things...
@iamjesca (185)
• Philippines
19 Oct 10
Although texting while driving is not the number one killer but it killed many lives also. On the news there are many reports about these kind of accidents along the road. Not only will the driver who did that thing will affected but also those who will be their victim. Drivers should not be irresponsible. If they want to text someone, then they should stop over and text. Because when you text and drive you will get distracted by it. And it will cause an accident. If you wanna take a call better use a headset or a loudspeaker so your hands will be free for the wheel. Everyone should be careful. Because we will never know when accidents will happen to us.
1 person likes this
. @c_grovino_d (74)
• Philippines
19 Oct 10
I think all drivers must not text while driving so that there's no accident happen. Even my i also encounter accident while driving so that now if i have receive a very important message i always decided so stop in the corner of the road so that the accident happen to me will not be repeated.
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
19 Oct 10
People are always in such a hurry they don't feel they need to take the time to pull over. I'll pull over in a heartbeat if I even decide to take the call at all. I firmly believe most of the calls I get can wait until I get to a place where I can safely respond.
@tsathwik063 (3)
•
19 Oct 10
actually the smallest things we neglect turn into disastrous consequences... my mom thought a match went out & threw it down but it lit her dress & she had some serious burns... better never neglect simple things !!!
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
19 Oct 10
Here in my place, the newspapers carry such stories almost on a daily basis…people are either hurting themselves badly while getting off the bus or are being run over by local trains or at intersections…all because they are talking and walking at the same time. I really don’t understand what could be so very urgent that they just cant control themselves from answering that call while walking! Another growing menace I’m noticing these days is that people are continuously listening to music on their cell phones while walking or driving or whatever…I feel it’s the same as talking as your concentration is more on listening to the music than on the road…also, if the ear is always plugged, how can one hear the traffic honking or the train coming from behind!!!
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
19 Oct 10
Dear friend,
I had seen this twice, but they did not face any accidents. But I do know it is bit danger to do that. But if the traffic police see that doing they would to be fined. Moreover I feel is safe not to text while driving. May be just part in the side parking areas do texing and continue driving.
@kguru1979 (381)
• India
19 Oct 10
Actually doing SMS and talking on mobiles while driving is an offense and punishable act in India. But most of the policemen leave them carelessly which create more accidents...!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Texting and driving will never be a wise idea. it is just an accident waiting to happen. If you need to text, be the passenger instead. it will save a lot of lives and cause less pain.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Texting is an inane time wasting thing as far as I am concerned when you are not doing anything. Doing it when you are driving, that is worse. I know one of the first things that I learned in Driver's Education is that you should keep your full attention on the road at all times and do nothing else when you are driving. Unfortunately, I guess some people have forgotten or must have missed that very important lesson.
I have seen people with their phones out as they are driving. A bit bold, as considering there is quite the heavy fine and potential loss of driving privileges around here. Of course, laws a rarely a barrier a lot of the time, so why should they stop now. Driving can lead to hazards even with a clear mind. No need to really cause the problem to blow out of hand by adding to it. So keep both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road, and stop texting when driving.
@phoebeyen (22)
•
19 Oct 10
I really don't encourage people who are driving will try make a text or call. I will make your life dangerous because it can cause an accident. Maybe if the person wants to text or make a call He or She can put his car on the side of the road then do it to avoid accidents.
