| The good people at Webster's announced their Word | | | | sentence for drivers who are caught texting while |
| of the Year for 2009 recently and it was Distracted | | | | driving because authorities there believe it's as willful an |
| Driving. I know, actually 2 words, but you go argue with | | | | act as driving drunk. |
| Webster. | | | | But at the end of the day, it's really up to us as |
| Distracted Driving has become an epidemic in the US, | | | | individuals to decide whether or not we're going to |
| causing almost 6000 car crash related deaths last | | | | make our roads safer by putting our cell phones away |
| year. And that number is probably low because many | | | | while we drive. |
| states don't yet note whether cell phones were part | | | | I know it will be hard - we're like Pavlov's dogs when |
| of the cause of an accident. | | | | we hear that little chirp or feel the vibration of our |
| The truth is, cell phones are without a doubt the | | | | phone..We need to be connected 24/7 and can't wait |
| biggest distraction we have in our cars today. | | | | more than 20 seconds to read the new text message. |
| According to the Automobile Association of America, 1 | | | | So here are a couple of suggestions to help you try |
| out of 2 drivers has been hit or almost hit by a driver | | | | and break your Crackberry habit. |
| talking or texting on their phone. | | | | First - put your phone out of reach while you drive. |
| Did you realize that talking on your phone while you | | | | Simple I know, but if you can't reach it, the temptation |
| drive impairs you as much, if not more than driving | | | | won't be as great. |
| drunk? The research is there and it's been proven time | | | | Second - I know you need to be available for your |
| and time again. And sorry my Bluetooth headset | | | | kids and spouse, so get your teenagers (or 3rd grader) |
| wearing friends, the research shows that hands free | | | | to program in specific ring-tones for people you need |
| devices are equally as dangerous. | | | | to speak to on a regular basis. The kids will love it - |
| If you don't believe the researchers, maybe you'll | | | | especially if you let them download their favorite songs |
| believe Mythbusters Episode 33 - Cell Phones vs. | | | | - trust me it's worth the $ 5.00 you'll spend on ring |
| Drunk Driving. Verdict? CONFIRMED!! Actually, talking | | | | tones. Then, when you're driving and they need to |
| on your cell phone is worse. | | | | reach you, you'll hear the special ring tone and be able |
| We all know that texting while driving is beyond | | | | to pull over and safely talk. |
| irresponsible and incredibly dangerous, but every day, | | | | Lastly, if you have no self-control whatsoever, there is |
| we see it happening on our streets. A police officer | | | | hope for you. With crisis comes opportunity, and there |
| stopped in the other day and related the story of | | | | are apps for your phone that sense (through GPS) |
| watching people weave while they drive. "10 years | | | | when the phone is moving more than 10 mph and |
| ago," he said, " we knew that driver had been drinking. | | | | blocks incoming calls and texts. Callers go straight to |
| Now, we know they're texting." Sobering, isn't it? | | | | voicemail and texters receive an automatic response |
| An average text message takes 5 seconds so send, | | | | that tells them you're driving and will get back to them |
| so close your eyes and count to 5. Now would you | | | | when you safely arrive at your destination. My favorite |
| close your eyes for 5 seconds the next time you're | | | | so far is Zoomsafer (it's on my Blackberry), but just |
| driving down I-95 or Boston Post Road? Of course | | | | Google "text blocking software" and you'll find a |
| not, but that's basically what you're doing if you're | | | | number of options. |
| DWT (driving while texting). | | | | Listen, it's not going to be easy to break this habit for |
| There are laws that govern cell phone use and texting | | | | any of us, but stop for a moment and |
| in NY, but clearly, they aren't working. The government | | | | remember...driving safely isn't easy. It takes |
| has begun PSA's and even launched a website - | | | | concentration and focus - and you can't be focused |
| distraction.gov - to combat the issue. AT&T has | | | | when you're talking or texting. So please, put down |
| launched an Anti-Texting and Driving campaign with | | | | your phone and driver safely. |
| heart-wrenching PSA's. | | | | I'm hoping for Un-distracted Driving as Webster's Word |
| Utah has actually instituted a mandatory 90 day jail | | | | of the Year 2010...un-distracted is a word, right? |