Texting on the Road

We are now a culture of people that have to do things as quickly as humanly possible or we aren’t happy. We use express lanes at the grocery store, E-Z pass on the turnpike, and send emails rather than traditional letters. Another thing that has fallen by the wayside is the ability to make actual phone calls. Instead we choose the convenience of texting, which is all well and good when we’re in our homes or at work, but not so good when we are in the car.

Texting and driving has been a growing problem each year as people are causing more collisions than ever before. Twenty five percent of the car accidents in this country are caused by texting and driving which has led to over three hundred thousand injuries on the roads. Sure, it may be quicker to send that text, but if we’re killing ourselves to do it, is it really that much more convenient?

OMW Isn’t Worth It

How many times have you sent a text saying OMW as you’re pulling out of your driveway? A dozen? More? Certainly, we have the capability to simply send a text these days, but is it worth it? Obviously, when measured against the 1.6 million crashes per year caused by cell phone use, it’s not. Over one and a half million accidents are the direct result of the contraptions that make our lives so much easier; a shocking statistic. Police officers set up checkpoints and impose hefty fines to people who drive while under the influence of alcohol, but did you know that texting is six times more likely to cause an accident than drinking? Six times! That’s an insane number and when you think about it, does Sean really need to have a play by play of your drive to his house? As you’re walking out the door to your house, send a text saying you’re leaving. Sean is probably smart enough to figure out how much time it will take you to get to his house, and if he isn’t, you need new friends.

Smartphones have caused a lot of issues with human communication, especially when you can no longer have a conversation with your friend because she won’t stop checking her stats on Instagram or seeing if her Snapchat streak was accidentally broken. Certainly, this is a dangerous idea when we think about what it holds for the future, but it pales in comparison to the amount of property damage, human injury, and even deaths that phones have caused on the road.

Nothing you have to say is important enough to risk your life. Typing LOL to that meme your sister sent via text message can wait until you get home or to some other stationary destination. We’ve become people that want to do whatever we want, and we want to do it now, so texting is the path of least resistance for quick communication. It may be quick, but it’s also dangerous if you’re driving. Speaking for the other drivers on the road who don’t text and drive, please stop. I don’t care what Shanna said to Erin. It’s probably funny, but it will still be funny when you stop your car. I get it. I really do. It doesn’t seem like it can happen to you, but it can. You’re not some sort of texting superhero that is safe from all harm. If you’re in an emergency situation, make a phone call. If you’re running late and you absolutely have to communicate that, make a phone call. Pull your car over, safely, to the side of the road if you need to get a hold of someone. The rest of us thank you.