Before you watch the video below, I have to warn you first. This video is pretty graphic and can be upsetting to watch. And yet, it brings through a powerful message. You may even want to watch this video alone first before you watch it together with your kids.
Some months back, a cousin was giving me a ride to the train station and while she was driving, a call came in. Naturally, she picked up her cellphone with one hand while keeping her other hand on the wheel. Yes, she was breaking a traffic offense. I asked her to end the call and not to use the cellphone while she was driving … especially without an ear piece. Her reply was, “you are really getting old.” Yes, I am getting old. I hope I am growing up too.
Now if you think talking on the cellphone without an ear piece is bad enough, people seem to get worse; they are driving while texting now. Sad to say, technology is advancing forward and yet we seem to be moving backward.
Are you one of those who uses the cellphone without an ear piece, while you are driving? If you are, probably right now you will be saying, “I can manage the car steering well with one hand and use the cellphone with the other hand.”
Before an accident happens, people tend to think that they can handle the car with one hand. And when it happened, we often heard, “If I knew, I wouldn’t have use the cellphone without an ear piece, while I was driving.” In a report by CBS News.com, a man who was involved in a collision, because he was texting, killed a 63-year-old grandfather.
“There’s no words to say how sorry I am,” He laments. “… I think about this car accident every single day of my life. I think everybody thinks it can’t happen to them,” He says, “because I thought the same thing. But obviously, it can.”
From a report in Cnet.com, “A recently released study by the VirginiaTech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers who were texting were 23 times more at risk of a ‘crash or near crash event’ than non-distracted driving.”
Further from the study, “Sending a text message took a driver’s eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds over a 6-second interval, which equates to driving the length of a football field at 55 mph without looking at the road.”
So the next time when you are thinking of driving while texting, think again: Is it absolutely necessary for you to send the text? Most probably it will not kill you if you do not send. But 4.6 seconds over a 6-seconds interval definitely increase the chance of killing yourself or other.
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It always saddens me to see drivers still using their cellphones while driving. Why can’t they spare a thought for the other road users who are conscientious?
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You remove your EC widget? I missed your blog as it’s not in my EC dropper list.
Have a great week ahead!
.-= eastcoastlife´s last blog ..Deepavali Nite 2009 – PH =-.
@ ECL, for me, it is not that much of sadness but rather frustration in seeing drivers using their cellphones without an ear piece while driving. In the process of using the cellphone without an ear piece, most of them slowed down the whole lane; it just shown how distracted the use of cellphones could be … especially when they were holding their cellphones with their hands.
Yes, I had removed their widget ever since they started the sponsor ad. Have a great week ahead too.
Sad to say it’s just not cell phones, which are horrible or the texting which is even worse and I think they out to drag them all out of their cars and strip them naked and flog them in public.
People are still eating and putting on make-up and reading and any number of other things instead of paying attention to the road, how stupid are we really?
Never mind don’t answer that.
.-= Jude´s last blog ..Pappy/Nana/Grandkids/Trike =-.
@ Jude, I agree with you on that besides texting, there are even some people who are putting on make up, reading and even eating while they are driving. Some of them even bragged about how they managed to drive and putting on make up and eating at the same time.
It’s never okay to take your eyes off the road. Thats the first thing they teach you in driving 101. It’s amazing what ppl think they can get away with, just because they’ve done it a few times with no problems.
Scary…very scary.
.-= Kathryn´s last blog ..Jibe Versus Bribe =-.
@ Kathryn, very scary indeed. The condition on the road can change very quickly especially when we are traveling 70-80kmph. Even at slow speed, we should not take our eyes off the road for too long. Just the other day I was driving with my friend in a small road at around 50kmph and suddenly a stray dog ran out on the left right at my front wheel. I had to swerved the car slightly to the right so that I would not hit it. Luckily there was no on-coming traffic. And even more fortunately, I did not hit the stray dog; I definitely didn’t want to be running over any dog.
I have to admit, I have trouble texting when I am not driving, I can’t even imagine trying it when I was driving. I am very opposed to texting while driving mostly because you have to take your hands and eyes off the road to do it.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Bad Choices All Around and Other Random Tuesday Thoughts =-.
@ Anne, now that you have mentioned, I do have a little problem texting even when I am not driving; the buttons for my cellphone are so small that at time I might press on the wrong buttons. So trying to text while driving will make it even more dangerous.
Texting while driving is very dangerous. You are so right, technology is advancing but yet we are moving backward.
driving while texting is a horrific idea. we need to concentrate on one thing at a time and nobody should ever text while the car is moving. It is not worth putting our lives or anyone else’s life in danger.
oh that video was really sad wasnt it. the crash bit inside the car and the baby was the most disturbing.
they should show this commercial everywhere and make people think
Tina from
Mummy Diaries
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Excellent post. It’s crazy what people think they can do while driving. When did we forget that cars are for getting from point A to point B and nothing more?
.-= Sarah C.´s last blog ..Dylan’s Stocking in progress… =-.
This is excellent ! I’m going to show my kids and tell them the dangers so that they are well aware.
Sometimes my son keeps talking while hubby is driving and I keep explaining to him how dangerous that is. This will also help reiterate that to him.
Blessings,
Eren
.-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Computer practical jokes and humor on internet addiction =-.
It is very sad that anyone would text and drive, and it’s very selfish. I hope that more states enact laws against cell phone use while driving. Usually when I see someone driving who can’t seem to stay in their lane it’s because they are juggling a cell phone while trying to steer.
.-= Tina T´s last blog ..Rules of Relationships =-.
A message that needs to be broadacst tima and again until it gets into teh thick skulls of those who still use their mobiles while driving
.-= jams O’Donnell´s last blog ..WW- Louvre at sunset =-.
I’m sorry I could not bring myself to watch the video. Please forgive me.
However, rest assured when I get my cell phone back (lost other one,) I will never Ever EVER text and I can’t believe anyone actually would while driving. I agree with Tina T — it’s selfish!
This is a great post to tweet.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Rose DesRochers: Just how Great IS She? =-.
I have seen people texting who pass me on the highway when I am driving 70 mph. I can’t understand why people would do this and risk their lives and others.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Freezing in the Fall =-.
@ Cafe Au Lait, yes that is something sad. Technology is supposed to be innovated to help us in areas of our lives to make things easier and more convenient. But some people are definitely abusing it.
@ Liferamblings, it is certainly not worth risking one’s life and at the same time putting other’s life at state. In fact, no one text’s worth can ever be compared to that of a life.
@ Tina, I have to agree with you; the scene of the eyes of the baby which is at around 2:07 is the most disturbing. Up till now, I cannot seem to get it over my mind.
@ Sarah, you have made a good point. A car is just to get us from one point to another. It is just too risky to do any other things especially when we are going 70-90 kmph on the road; one slip and it can be disastrous.
@ Eren, yes, this will be good to illustrate a certain point to him. For the same reason, I do not like to talk while driving and that is why I like to say sometimes to my passenger before I drive that they pardon me if I do not reply or reply slowly when I am driving because I need to concentrate on the road.
@ Tina, yes, it is very selfish to do that. It was exactly what I saw usually too; when a car was going slower than usual or couldn’t keep to its lane, then usually the driver was talking on the cellphone while trying to steer the wheel with one hand.
@ Jams, something which I agree. The only sad thing is there are some people who need to learn things in a hard way; these people will always think that they are invincible and they are in control. Such egoistic and thoughtlessness really make me angry.
@ Jannie, I understand. That was why I warned people first. It may not be comfortable for some people to watch it.
@ Pam, that is truly crazy; one wrong move and they can very well end up killing themselves.
I saw this video on Facebook a few weeks ago… yes, it is graphic, but I would MUCH rather someone see it on video and be moved to change their habits than to witness something of the like in person when it’s too late.
Thanks for sharing… and thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy WW!
.-= Kat @ For the Love of Chaos´s last blog ..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Class Trip To Europe =-.
@ Kat, my thought exactly. I don’t hope to change everyone with this video but as long as there is one who will change his/her habit after watching this, then I am more than happy. One at a time.
Every single time I am nearly hit or involved in an accident, I look to see them on their cell phone, either talking or texting. I wish I could share this video with people out on the roads.
.-= Vixen´s last blog ..WW~While The Dogs Soak Up The Sun =-.
@ Vixen, it will be good if all drivers can at least see this video once. What they will choose to do after that, it will be entirely up to them.
Whenever I’m out on the road, I still see many drivers using their cellphones, texting or calling. I don’t understand why they can’t wait or pullover to do it if it’s really important.
.-= Liza´s last blog ..The Move To Sexy (9) =-.
Woah. Those are some shocking numbers! It should make everyone think twice about using their phone in the car, huh?
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Top Ten Thursday – They Don’t Call ‘Em Crackberries For Nothin’ =-.
@ Liza, I guess it is the common thoughts that they will just use it for a while and that they can handle the car.
@ Jennifer, I certainly hope it can make people think twice about using their cellphones without an ear piece or using their cellphones to text while driving.
I can’t drive and talk on the cell phone nonetheless text while driving. I don’t even like fussing with the radio while driving – it is to distracting. Some states have made it illegal unless you have a hands free device. I think that is an excellent idea. I am sure they will soon have some type of voice recognition software for “texting”.
.-= Christine @ Propeller Head Mom´s last blog ..Thursday Thirteen & Time Out Thursday =-.
@ Christine, I am quite surprise that driving and talking on the cell phone without a hands free device is not illegal in all states? Over here in Singapore, it is definitely a traffic offense. I sure hope all states will make it illegal to drive and talk on the cell phone without a hands free device. Voice recognition? I’m not sure if it will be such a good idea; unless it is 100% accurate and there is no need to press any send button to send the text.
I can’t count the times I’ve seen people texting and driving. They are completely unaware of the drivers around them and I can’t figure how they possible think it’s okay to multitask while driving. They should have their license suspended.
.-= Lynne´s last blog ..Virus Attack =-.
@ Lynne, I agree with you on that. It might sound a little extreme, but their license should be suspended even before something happened. I am sure they did not learn to text while driving when they were having their driving lessons.
I was amazed when I first moved to Arkansas back in 2004. Everyone had a cell phone, and for me, it was still a bit of a luxury item. And, everyone I see driving now seems to have a cell phone to their ear. I can’t do it myself. It makes me nervous, so if I have to answer the phone, it’s just to say “I’ll call you back.” It’s like watching a road full of drunk drivers, weaving, crossing the lines, and they are all just talking on their cells. I haven’t seen anyone texting, but that’s probably because I just haven’t caught one doing it myself. The distractions are dangerous, and I’ve become a much more defensive driver – with both hands on the wheel.
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..A Place to Call Home: City or Small Town? =-.
@ Theresa, yes, cell phone can still be a luxury item to some. I can never drive and talk on the cell phone without a hands free. Or rather I don’t want to; not only is it an offense, but most importantly it is also very irresponsible. And if I really have to pick up the call, I will only do so when I come to a halt at the traffic light. I will just say, “I’m driving without a hands free, I’ll call you back.” These days, it makes a lot of sense to be a defensive driver; we not only have to drive safely, but we also have to watch out for reckless driver.
I saw this video some time ago and I thought it was great. When I was a senior in highschool (almost 10 years ago) every year during the prom week, they would do a “mock car crash” complete with ambulences and a crashed car, the jaws of life and REALLY good actors. It is basically this video brought to life, but it has to do with drinking and driving.. it was VERY impactful, i remember seeing a lot of my fellow students crying during it.
So I do believe that even if YOU can’t watch it, make your teenage kids watch it. They have no idea what real consequences are at that age.. and they need to see.
I also wanted to make a comment about technology. There are SOOO MANY voice to text programs out there. The need to impliment the voice to text software on ALL phones as well as text to speach.. this way you get a text, tell it to play it and it reads it out loud… then reply by talking your text to it. It would be a perfect solution.. The iphone is ALMOST there with it..
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Happy (be-lated) Halloween! =-.
@ Lindsay, thank you for sharing. It is great to hear that even 10 years ago there were “mock car crash” for senior in highschool. I believe letting them go through the “mock car crash” will discourage them to drink drive. And since everyone watches it together, it can use peer pressure to keep check on each other.
About the technology, I remember someone told me something similar to what you mentioned. It would certainly be good to have software like that. My only hope is that the software is easy to use and not distracting. End of the day, it will still be better if one can just stop by the road first if they really need to make a call or to text.
You are true, I have a GPS in my blackberry. I try to use the service but it is really scary to me. It is so hard to read and drive at the same time. I ask my wife to read it and i drive. I can’t dare to text while driving.
San
@ San, it is not a good idea to do that. I guess that’s why most GPS have voice navigation to make using them easier and less hazardous to other road users. Good to read that you are responsible to yourself and to other road users by getting your wife to read the directions to you.
A simple and easy to use mobile application with capability to read out messages helps in concentrating more on my work. I use drive safely application on my mobile phone.
@ John, it would be good to use such application but the best thing to do is still to find a place to park the car if one really need to check some texts or make a call.
WOW, so touching. So powerful. Such a good message. Thanks for sharing, we all needed to see this. My heart goes out to those who something like this has happened to… and makes me want to talk to my family about it.
@ Tabitha Blue, that is a powerful message indeed. I do hope that all drivers can watch this once and then decide wisely if they would want to let something like this happen to them.