Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving can be really scary stuff!!!

Even when you think it's the perfect moment to send a quick text and no one is around... THINK AGAIN!

You are driving down the street, no cars or anyone is in sight, you think you have 2 seconds to 

spare to type a quick word. ...You don't! Anything can happen when you take a 

chance like that!

I want to share a story that I have told only a few people. This story is hard for me to write but I think it is one that needs to be shared. About a year and a half ago I was involved in a car/pedestrian accident. I was driving through a bare parking lot and it was dark outside. I was reaching for my phone that was in my purse that was right next to me. I didn't have a plan to send a text, I just wanted to hold it in case it went off. I think I looked down for half a second to grab it. As I was looking up there was a guy on a bicycle right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes but I hit him. Mind you, this was a parking lot - - I was only going between 5 to 10 miles an hour. I hit his bicycle, he rolled up on my windshield and fell to the ground in a matter of seconds. 

My heart dropped, I was in a panic, I put the car in park and ran out to check on him. The guy was okay but was so shaken up. He had some cuts and a severe headache. I felt horrible. I was in a state of shock that wouldn't even allow me to cry one tear. My heart ached for this man and if I would have given up that one distraction that didn't cross my mind as being big deal, this wouldn't have happened.

I have not been able to forget about this story. My heart still aches when I think of the situation. It was my fault, I take full responsibility for that. The main reason I share this story with you is because just maybe it will make you aware of how important every second is when you are behind the wheel. I pray this story can maybe save one life! I believe Heavenly Father blessed both of us that night because things could have been a lot worse. 

NOTHING is that important that it can't wait. Even if it was that important, I was in a parking lot...I could have parked to take out my phone and check on it. When you are driving and your phone goes off - PULL OVER! If you are getting on the freeway - let those you may be tempted to text know that you are on the road. You have the power to save the lives of others and to save your very own life! 

On the Today show yesterday with Kathy & Hoda they showed a girl who lost her eye in an accident from being distracted while driving. Go here to watch this clip.

I want to make it clear that it is not JUST texting and driving 

.... it is DISTRACTED DRIVING!!! 

Doing ANYTHING on your phone: emails, music, apps, talking to siri, talking on the phone or via speaker phone and even changing the radio station can be scary. These things are all dangerous if your eyes and hands have to leave the wheel even for just a second.

If you need to use your GPS - set it before you start driving and then turn up the volume, this way you won't be tempted to touch it or look at it.

There is an incredible website and pledge HERE! Please go check it out. I took the following facts from this great site!

Facts:

 - Those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

-  In 2010, texting while driving increased 50 percent in one year, and two out of 10 drivers say they've sent text messages or emails while behind the wheel - despite a rush by states to ban the practice.

- When drivers read or send a text message, their reaction time is doubled. When asked to respond to a flashing light while texting behind the wheel, drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss the light altogether.

- 75% of teens say texting while driving is common among friends.

Be the POWER OF ONE that makes safe

 choices for you and others around you!