Written by Kristin Larmore, Relate Intern

It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been driving. Whether we’re 16 or 60, feeling too comfortable behind the wheel is what leads to car accidents and a grave lack of attention.

Texting is a fairly new technological invention….something many now depend on for a large portion of their communication. Teens (and even adults) see it as more convenient and less hassle, and they can do it on their own time. But when it’s time to drive, it’s anything but hassle-free. The constant eye movement, occupied hands and lack of focus prove you can’t do both at once.

Here’s the facts, according to Edgar Snyder and Associates:

•  Nearly 30 percent of teens who admit to risky driving say they text and drive, too.
• What’s worse, nearly half of the drivers on the road between 18 and 24 text and drive.
• An on-the-rise 21 percent of yearly teenage fatal crashes involve cell phone usage.
• Almost 1,000 crashes with 16 and 17-year olds in 2007 involved some type of technological driver distraction.

With the facts right in front of you, it’s hard to ignore the stark reality.

Did you know it has been illegal since last year for a teen OR adult to text, email or access the Internet while driving in the state of Minnesota? That actually includes stops and traffic, as well.

Think of it this way; driving a car isn’t like a predictable video game with the same obstacles every time, every lap. The longer you play, the better you seem to get because you know what to expect. But in the real world, there’s always new drivers, new obstacles, something you’ve never encountered. It’s anything but predictable.

Just because you’ve done it before and have been “OK,” doesn’t mean that will be the case next time. Put your phone down, and don’t leave your life to chance. It sounds cautious, and it is. Things happen- and not just to ”that other guy,” but to those you know, those you work with, those in your community……to you.

This video was created as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in the UK , a heart-wrenching wake-up call not only for teens who text, but for their parents and families . You’ll think twice after watching this. However, we do warn the video contains some graphic, bloody images and is not advised for very young children. Some  television news stations used it on their segments, but gave equal warning. 

Here are some ways to resist the temptation of picking up the phone on the road:

1. If you’re meeting people somewhere, contact your friends beforeyou start driving to let them know you’re on your way and when to expect you. That way, they hopefully won’t be calling or texting to chat.

2. Put your cell phone in your purse or a bag behind the passenger seat in your car. Even if you hear it, you won’t be tempted to grab it because it will either be too far out of reach or too hard to rummage for.

3. Listen to music or roll the windows down to distract you from the ring tone “calling out your name” and help you focus on the road. Sometimes, silence can be even more distracting for the most avid texter because they’re tempted to whip out the keypad and start typing. Many people think they have to answer a text the minute they get it because they’re afraid their friend will be mad at them or they just really want to strike up a conversation; it can wait a few minutes.  

4. Put your phone on silent so you forget it’s even there. When you get home or to your destination and have a missed call or message, you can respond to it then.

5. If you realize there’s an emergency situation and you’ll be driving for a while, pull off the road and respond to the message. If you’re in an emotional state when you hear pressing or bad news, you’re going to be more distracted anyway, even if you’re just answering a phone call.

We should all value our lives and not take them for granted. Do you have a story to tell about a family member, friend or fellow student who was injured from driver distractions? Tell us about it.