When we think of texting and driving, we immediately get a picture in our heads of teens or young adults. But people of all ages are just as guilty of this dangerous activity, and it really has to stop.
Teens learn from gruesome videos, statistics, and driver's ed class that texting while driving can be deadly. In many states,drivers under 18 are banned from talking on cell phones while driving, and cell phones are not allowed to be used in a majority of school zones around the country.
While we lecture the teens to try to keep them safe, who is warning adults?
One needs only to drive on any road at any time of day and glance left or right to catch drivers looking at their cell phones. Professionals rushing to business meetings check email on the fly. Moms and dads text their kids or each other with grocery lists or questions about where they are. With so many people multi-tasking while driving, it's no wonder that texting while driving is beginning to rival drinking and driving as a top cause of accidents among people of all ages.
Until the cell phone companies come up with an app that disables smart phones inside of cars, we have to rely on education, discussion, and practicing what we preach.
If you have teens, don't model bad behavior by using your cell phone in the car. Put it away in your pocket or your purse, and leave it there until the car stops.
As a personal injury attorney in Georgia, I've dealt with far too many clients who have been injured in an auto accident due to cell phone use, either by themselves or someone else. We've all seen the bumper sticker: "Hang up and Drive," and we need to also remember that texting and driving don't mix.
If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, contact David Van Sant, an Atlanta personal injury attorney.