Texting while driving? No way! Though statistics would prove that you are at least 23 times more likely to get into an accident while texting, and spend on average 4.6 seconds looking away from the roadway while texting, you wouldn’t be included in that, would you?

It’s hard to discern fact from fiction from everything we read online. The truth is,  texting while driving is not a wise idea. The real problem is, how do you help to alleviate the issue? Oprah’s highly endorsed No-Phone-Zone Pledge offers a tiered promissory system where you can pledge to “I will not text while I am driving”, “I will not text while driving and will use only handsfree calling if I need to speak on the phone while I am driving.”, and lastly “I will not text or use my phone while I am driving. If I need to use my phone, I will pull over to the side of the road.”.

This type of system sets up clear rules for cell phone users to live by. It is like a condensed 12-step program to wean motorists off of cell phone use slowly and in bite size pieces. But hearing all the horror stories about texting/cell use while driving can leave us feeling a bit of guilty about using cells at all. Knowing that in some way, we’re breaking a rule of general safety by ignoring the facts and using a cell phone while driving still.

First off, let us not be so hard on ourselves. Sometimes driving and talking is a necessary evil. Though I agree that in-car talking should be kept to a minimum, I myself have had situations where I’ve had to take a call in the middle of a long business day or when driving home for the evening. Unless you’re just simply shutting your phone off when you get into the car or don’t have a cell phone at all, you’ll have to encounter the scenario some time.

Consider this; if you have to pull off to the side of the road, you also have to merge back on. Most driving safety courses will teach that you have to be driving at the same speeds as other motorists on the road in order to merge successfully and safely with  traffic.

I do agree with “no texting.” I’ll admit I’ve done it before. The response time is iffy at best, you are always overestimating your own awareness, and eventually, statistically, it can catch up with you. It’s not the same as texting, I know. But if you do have to take a call on the road, why not use a hands-free option? Yes! I said it, why not use Bluetooth?  Since most phones come Bluetooth enabled, it makes it pretty simple and inexpensive to get one. Of course, if you want the fancy Jawbone headset for around $80.00 you will be investing more in your safety, but there are plenty of sub $50 options out there for headsets.

It’s something to think about. But regardless of what you choose, please be respectful, courteous and safe. Don’t text and drive, and if you have to use your phone, get a hands-free unit.

We have to remember that accidents will still happen. But as a fellow driver who has a job to drive to and a family to come home to, please be careful out there.

Legislation is already in effect in school zones and other areas locally that restricts your phone use. Be a part of the solution and talk it out, but not while driving.

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