Dear Pretty Girl:
I saw you today as I sat idling at a red light. You were in the blue Prius, and your blonde hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. You had long, thin arms and high cheekbones. As we waited, I noticed your smile. You threw your head back in an open-mouthed laugh. Your teeth were straight and white. You didn’t see me, but I saw you. You picked up your phone to send someone a text.
I kind of freaked out a little. Because as much as I like to think of myself as a rule breaker, well… when it comes to breaking rules that could impact other people’s safety, I guess I’m not so cool with that.
I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you didn’t about New York State’s “Distracted Driver Law” that says folks are not supposed to text while driving. In fact, if you are even caught holding a cell phone in your hand while driving, you are subject to a $150 fine and 2 points on your license. But it wasn’t the practical stuff that bugged me.
See, I imagined my 13-year-old son sharing the road with you in a few years.
I pictured him, seated right where you were — in the driver’s seat — sending texts. Watching you, I got scared.
Like most parents, I want to believe: My kid would never do that.
But they do.
I mean, you were.
And you are someone’s daughter, Pretty Girl.
As red changed to green, I hoped you’d toss your phone aside, but your hot pink cell phone was pressed against the steering wheel as you rolled forward into the world.
So now I watch for pretty girls in blue cars.
I remembered a Public Service Announcement commissioned by AT&T that I had seen a while back that highlighted the dangers of texting while driving. I thought I would share it.
Because the kids are back in school.
And many of them are new drivers.
And the short film makes a pretty big impact about the risks of texting while driving.
Please watch this video and talk about the behavior as a family. Because we all know, it isn’t just kids who text and drive.
Adults do it, too.
I know it’s hard to ignore the thing that bings and pings and buzzes, especially when it is on the seat right next to you.
But we all have to try a little harder.
Have you ever sent a text while driving? Why can’t some people resist the urge to respond to a text message? Do you think texting is an addiction?
Update: I just learned my friend Stacey at transplantednorth wrote on this same topic a few days ago! If you are so inclined, check it out HERE!
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