Safe Driving Catchphrase Contest
Now that I am driving so much more everyday, I see a lot of shenanigans on the road. The university I attend is about 30 minutes from my house and that is if I take the expressways. If I stick to side streets, it is closer to 45 minutes away.
Naturally, I take the highways almost always because heaven forbid I ever allow myself any extra travel time. I’m usually the one sprinting to class after frantically spending 8 entire minutes looking for parking once on campus.
It CAN WAIT
Well, in my travels, I have seen some odd behavior on the road, but the most alarming is texting while driving. Now I will be the first to admit, I have done it. But I am here now—telling the entire internet—that I pledge to never text and drive again. It’s simple; whatever it is CAN WAIT. Decide to Drive.
I am shocked to report how many SEMI TRUCK drivers I see texting at the wheel. Maybe they’re updating their GPS or whatever else, but they certainly are not paying attention to the road. When a vehicle the size of a building swerves into your lane, you certainly take notice! At least a handful of times, I have had that horrendous adrenaline spike causing shakes and stress sweat.
Trust me, my classmates are NOT happy with these drivers upon my arrival to class either. :/ (My stress sweat is wicked potent. Like, it may qualify as a super power.)
New Laws
Our state just recently passed a new law that says we can no longer talk on cell phones while driving unless there is some sort of hands-free technology at work. Even dialing has to be done with one touch or less. Now, I used to use car rides to catch up with phone calls so this has been a big adjustment. However, now that I’ve given it all up, I am so much more observant and relaxed.
I take this time to listen to my favorite songs and look at my surroundings. I suppose I could use a hands free device, but I haven’t found one I like just yet and I hate talking through my car speakers. Sometimes I don’t want my passengers in on the entire conversation, so again, it can wait!
To be honest, I have found this entire transition to be very freeing. After that 30 minute drive, I feel oddly refreshed. Maybe it’s because I sing as loud as I can to my favorite songs.
Yeah, if you’re lucky enough to pull up next to me and my windows are down, enjoy. 😉 Or, if the kids are with me, we actually talk to each other. Imagine that! Whether belting out our favorite tunes or gossiping about the latest tween drama, car rides are now something to look forward to.
Do everyone a favor and look out for others. Think like a meerkat… the voyeurs of traffic, and be ever conscious of your surroundings. Maybe you can’t prevent others from making mistakes, but at least YOU can be prepared to prevent them.
Catchphrase Contest
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance want to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. The Decide To Drive program aims to empower drivers and passengers to speak up about distracted driving, continue the conversation at home, work and play and reduce distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
Hurry up and enter the Catchphrase Contest (it ends June 13, 2014) and be entered to win a grand prize of $1000 Visa Gift card or two runner up prizes of a $500 Visa card! This contest is open to everyone 18+ in the US.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
i have to tell you, i see ALL Kinds of folks on their phones. i saw a middle aged woman texting and drinking coffee on the highway! that’s 2 hands, 2 full hands, and nothing left for steering wheel. WHO is that important? oh, no one!
OH wow! Seriously?! 🙁
I saw a lady, eye shadow in one hand and applicator in the other trying to grip the wheel and drive the other day. It makes you wonder what the heck is going on in their minds while doing these things!
Honestly, I think taking away not only text messages but phone calls as well is a good thing even though it may be a big adjustment for some people. Regardless of how harmless it seems distracted driving can happen in ALL sorts of ways!
This is a great initiative. I often find that my kids try to distract me often. My oldest doesn’t realize just how important it is for me to pay attention. We passed an accident the other day and I had her look and told her that is what will happen if she keeps distracting me.
Ugh… I hear ya on this one. My kids are always, “Mom, look at this!” While I’m driving. I end up looking without thinking and then say, “Stop doing that! I’m driving and have to focus.” Then I feel bad because I the idiot that shouldn’t have looked in the first place! :/
Sometimes I will end up someplace and wonder how the heck I got there. I hate when that happens, but when a great song comes on the radio, sometimes it’s easy to get lost in space…..
It’s sad to see so many driving while texting. I live near the highschool and unfortunately the majority of them do! So scary!
@Shelley, mine do the same! Every time they say it have to remind them that I will look when I stop at a stoplight and how dangerous it is to turn around while driving!
Makes me so nervous when people do so much stuff while driving. I wish they treasured their families as much as I love my family and want them safe on the road.
I really love this campaign. We all need to stop and think about what we are doing while we drive. Vehicles are dangerous, especially when someone is not paying attention. There isn’t anything worth putting my life or someone else’s at risk. It definitely CAN wait!
I will be honest, when my phone had actual ‘buttons’ years back I could text while driving. Once I had a glass surface I was done as there was no way I could do it. I have told my 2 boys if you hear a text wait until you get to your destination. I try not to text them if I think t hey are driving as I don’t want to interfere with them. In NYS it is illegal to text or talk while driving with hefty fines. I think this initiative is a wonderful idea.
Distracted driving is such a big problem. I love the Meerkat telling me to watch out! A catchphrase contest sounds like an awesome way to get people thinking about the risks.
Distracted driving is scary! There is so much to be paying attention to while driving to add to it!
We can talk on the phone in Florida however, no texting but they cannot pull you over for texting unless you have done something else wrong – so crazy!
It is illegal to text and drive and talk on the phone where I live and the fines are high. It is not worth the risk.
When I was a kid I was fiddling with my radio and almost crashed into a guard rail and that was it–lesson learned!!
My parents were almost killed by a truck driver. He was reaching down to change his radio and hit them in the middle of the turnpike.
Ugh, I am always worried about being distracted. For some reason my three kids never understand when I say no, Mommy can’t open that bottle of water for you, I am driving… or no, Mommy can’t find your earphones. Ugh!
We can talk on the phone here in Massachusetts. My kids are honestly the biggest distraction in my car!
Distracted driving is such an easy thing to correct – just don’t do it! Whatever text or putting on mascara is not worth your life – or mine.
I’m so surprised that your state just recently passed the hand free law. Distracted driving is such an issue. Nice to see there’s programs like The Decide To Drive.
There are so many distractions while driving.My biggest are the crazy drivers around me!