How is texting and driving (or taking videos/photos of yourself while driving) still a thing?
The state of Tennessee even passed a Hands Free Law, making it illegal to be distracted by your phone when you’re behind the wheel, yet take a look around when you’re driving and you will still see people doing it!
Kentucky also has a variation of their own anti-device distractions law, though it’s more lenient on people who are talking on the phone.
One would think that texting and driving would be a common sense no-no, yet so many still do. It’s like we all think we’re special and are suffering from a case of it-won’t-happen-to-me-itis. We assume, “one quick photo/video,” or, “a quick response won’t hurt,” but that’s not up to us to decide.
None of us have any say over the factors outside of our control. Think of the other distractions on the road, like – the driver whose 3 year old’s rocking all the words to “Finesse” and they feel like they just have to add it to Instagram right in that moment. Or the driver who just got their permit and is laying heavy on the breaks because this is new for them, and a little scary. Or maybe that one driver that just got off of an exceptionally long shift and is starting to drift off at the wheel.
WATCH OUT! DEER!!!
There is nothing on your phone that can help you steer clear or react quickly to a bad driver or other potential-accident causing incidents on the road. We all need to stop trying to multitask our life from behind the wheel. Put the phone down, and keep it down until your car has been shifted safely into park.
If the temptation to grab for your phone is too great, put it on silent. It’s easier to keep your eyes on the road when you don’t have the rings, pings, dings and other notifications tempting you to see what’s going on and who sent you what. I get it, FOMO is real. But whatever comes through on your phone will still be there when you get to a stopping point your ride is shifted safely in Park.
Your friends and family would rather receive a delayed reply from you because you were driving, rather than never getting a reply again because something horrific happened . . . because you weren’t just driving, you were texting.
If that still didn’t get you, then let a passenger hold your phone. They can read aloud the messages that come in and do all the swiping and typing while you dictate your reply. If you’re a passenger with a distracted driver, offer to hold their phone and help them respond.
