You’re driving down Woodmont Boulevard, heading back to campus. As you pull up to the traffic light at Granny White, you look up and slam on your brakes, realizing the car in front of you is just a few inches away. You let out a sigh of relief and finish the text you were just sending.
I would bet almost all of us have been guilty of texting and driving. Most people say they know it is unsafe, but an unfortunately high number of them admit they do it anyway. Until last Thursday, I was one of those people.
On Thursday in women’s chapel, a former Lipscomb student shared her testimony about how she killed a man because she was driving drunk. She spent three years in prison because of it.
Now she’s just 23 years old and has to live with the fact she took someone’s life.
No, texting and driving isn’t the same thing as drinking and driving. It’s actually worse. Did you know that some studies show it’s even more dangerous? Think about that next time you see someone who you believe is obviously under the influence and is drifting across lanes. Then realize that what you are doing when texting and driving is probably even more hazardous.
That means you could be forced to live life knowing that you took someone else’s … because you just had to send that text.
Rolling your eyes about this? Stop and pay attention. This is serious stuff.
Just last Wednesday, I read an article by Lipscomb’s own Professor Debi Tate about the prevalence of texting and driving and about what state and national organizations are doing to raise awareness. Yet, that afternoon, I was wrapping up a text conversation while driving. I’m not proud to admit it. In fact, I’m ashamed to admit it. But I know that being truthful and open is the only way that change happens.
I used to tell myself I didn’t do it that often, so it wasn’t really that bad. I used to tell myself I was careful. I used to tell myself I was only texting at stoplights, and so, since I wasn’t moving, it wasn’t dangerous. But let’s be honest, if you’re texting at all while driving, you’re not being careful. You’re distracted behind the wheel. At least one of your hands, your eyes and most importantly, your brain aren’t dedicated to what’s happening on the road.
This is an unnecessary and unconscionable risk.
No text message is worth risking lives, your own or that of someone else. Even if you are lucky and you don’t kill someone, you can still cause unnecessary damage, wreck your car and perhaps someone else’s car.
You have an amazing future filled with wonderful opportunities and experiences at your fingertips.
And speaking of fingertips… I know it’s so easy to be tempted when the phone is right there.
So, I’m encouraging you to do what I’ve just begun to do. Put your phone someplace where you can’t reach it. Ignore it until you get to where you’re going. No text messages, no phone calls–nothing on your phone is important enough to risk someone’s life.
Make the decision today to stand up for what you know is right. Be responsible, please, and don’t text while driving.
Photo Credit: Whitney Jarreld