Texting While Driving

We had a very moving assembly at our high school last Friday in preparation for prom and graduation. Our Target group (essentially- students against drug and alcohol use) organized a mock drunk driving crash. It involved crashed cars, student actors, police, fire and EMT departments, local funeral directors and hearse, and even a Life Link helicopter.

I could go on and on about my thoughts on this event- particularly focusing on student responses and the fantastic “teachable moment” discussion I had in my classroom afterwards. However, since is the technology blog, I will stay focused on that connection.

Our police chief spent some time talking about different statistics, and one that came up was the problem with texting while driving. This has definitely increased car accidents in the past few years. Consequently there’s a law against texting while driving as we probably already know.

However, having heard that information following up an emotional experience like this mock crash, I can hope that it made an impact on some kids. I, myself, needed a lesson. I find myself texting while driving sometimes- with my two children in the car. It is so selfish and avoidable, but it’s so addicting! That’s why it can become a problem- by definition of an addiction, I’m not logically thinking of my safety nor that of others. So honestly, this weekend I made a conscious effort to not drive and text. Like most “changes” we humans attempt, it may not last long (like diet and exercise for me!!), but if the message is sent to enough people, change can happen.