Don't Drive and Talk
I was recently a victim of a horrible hit and run accident. The guy who ran me off the road was yapping it up on his cell phone. My car was totaled and the emotional turmoil that ensued made me feel as if I, too, had been totaled. Either the guy was so engrossed in his phone conversation that he didn’t realize that he ran me into a concrete barrier or he just didn’t care. Fortunately for me, I walked away physically unscathed. However, my heart goes out to all the people who are not as fortunate.
This situation made me ask myself if making or receiving that phone call while driving is really THAT important. Personally, I find it difficult to talk on the phone and type an email at the same time without becoming distracted from either the conversation or the email. So why is it that I think I can talk on the phone while operating a piece of 3,000 lb machinery at 60mph and be focused? I don't and I will not do it anymore.
We don't realize the impact of a bad decision until something bad happens as a result of it. Most people know that it is probably not a good idea to talk while driving, but they can't resist the urge to grab the cell phone when they get in the car. Have we become a society that does not value any downtime? Must we fill every waking moment of our day DOING something? I implore everyone to think twice about making or taking that call on your cell phone while driving – someone's life could depend on it, including your own.
Comments
Thank you for posting this. We are so glad you are ok Tiffany!
Thank God you're okay.
That bonehead's boneheadedness could have caused far more harm.
Unfortunately, the "%$@*#! probably has no idea what he did.
This is great inspiration for me to control my multi-tasking. Thanks.
Tiffany, I had no idea this happened - glad you weren't hurt! And sorry about your car.
Anyway, it's OK to fill every moment of your day "doing" something -- people should just remember that when you're driving a car, THAT'S what you're "doing."
I'm astonished at how many people treat the left lane of the interstate as some kind of transit lounge where they can relax and catch up on e-mail. I wish the enforcement of our state's new ban were more vigorous.
One news article from Jan 8 (www.islandpacket.com said 38 people had been cited -- that's over the course of six weeks! I think I passed that many people texting just this morning. I know budgets are tight, but I'm betting that handing out tickets costs less than cleaning up accidents.
Tiffany, I have been so worried since I heard about the wreck. And I have been SO angry since I found out it was a hit and run.
People are so shocking sometimes. And not in a good way.
I'm so thankful you are ok.
Cell phone down for me.
I am so sorry to hear about your accident, especially a hit and run. Glad to hear you are okay. On the positive, you found something to write a blog post about.
Hi Tiffany - I totally agree with you about how insane it is that people feel they must fill every second of every day with some kind of activity or stimulus. I expressed the same sentiment in my Newsweek article at www.newsweek.com - you might enjoy reading it. Glad you're okay!
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