People on TV and in movies are amazing drivers! They have intense car chases, total their car, and crawl out with a few bruises. They can speed and swerve and break the law yet they never get caught. Even when they do get caught, they don’t get tickets. They never need to look where they are driving, because the car just knows.
However, we know that real people aren’t as lucky. Make a mistake in “real life” and you might not be as lucky. The reality is that a driver is 23 times more likely to get into a car accident while driving and texting. With television and movies being as widespread and influential as they are, why don’t they depict this reality?
Finally, this past week on the popular teen show Glee, the dangers of texting and driving were exemplified, when the head cheerleader, Quinn, can’t resist the temptation of her constantly ringing cell phone. She finally gives in and while responding with just three small words “On my way”, she crosses an intersection where another car crashes directly into the driver’s side, and the screen goes black.
Whether or not Quinn survives the crash is not as important as the message the show is giving. We are not untouchable. Terrible things can happen to anyone. We have to shake the idea that “it could never happen to me”.
So….
Don’t make calls while driving, not even with a Bluetooth and remember using a Bluetooth is illegal for provisional drivers.
Don’t fumble with your iPod. Even though it’s not a phone doesn’t mean it isn’t a distraction.
Turn your phone to silent to avoid the temptation, because…….
NO TEXT IS WORTH YOUR LIFE.
. Just yesterday,
