Before you head out to see Aunt Sue in Ohio, or Grandpa Albert in New Mexico, take a few things into account to make sure you and your friends and loved ones have a safe and happy road trip.
We all know the dangers of drunk driving and should look out for, and report anyone doing it, however other dangers exist the results of which can be equally fatal. With technology advancing at a rapid rate, we become more and more dependent on our hand-held devices; to get us places, communicate, document, etc. While these gadgets and gizmos have enhanced our lives and made them much more convenient, they have also taken away a great deal of our attention. As a result, automobile crashes caused by distractions are rivaling those caused by drunk driving. In many cases, texting can inhibit your senses and response time as much as a few cocktails.
Almost everyone’s phone is a portable entertainment center, office, library, message center and more. Just because it’s small, it doesn't mean it won’t consume as much of your attention as if you actually had a copy machine in your car along with a desktop computer, a couple of photo albums, a stack of mail, and a movie playing on a plasma screen all at the same time.
Once the “task of driving” takes a back seat to your cell phone, everyone on the road is in danger. Failing to follow the safe driving rules of the road needlessly endangers everyone including you and those in your car.
The solution? Follow basic safety rules. Make your phone inaccessible while driving. If you must take a call, use a hands-free device. (Although more and more studies are showing that to be just as distractive as well). Otherwise, turn it off and enjoy the ride. You have a responsibility as a motorist to yourself, your passengers, and those you share the road with to be safe and not to needlessly endanger anyone.
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