I’m writing this post today because it’s been a while since I’ve had a good public flogging, and, frankly, I deserve it.
Tuesday, I ran up to the bookstore on my lunch hour, looking for a graduation present for a friend. I couldn’t find what I needed, so on my way back to my office – in my car, behind the wheel – I searched Amazon for it on my phone.
And then I sailed through a red light, without so much as pausing. I was 3/4 of the way through the intersection before it even registered.
I couldn’t believe I had done something so dumb, and as soon as I got back to my office I confessed my sins. Without missing a beat, my co-worker replied, “And the line of preschoolers you mowed over? They’re all ok?”
It would have been funny if it wasn’t so… possible. The light I went through is quite possibly the busiest intersection, pedestrian-wise, in town. It’s also about, oh, 300 yards from Sam’s school.
Fortunately I didn’t hit anyone and no one hit me, but my God, it could have been bad. Really, really, life-changing-ly (how do you like that word?) bad.
So, I’m going to knock that shark off, like, immediately.
I promise to never shop on Amazon while driving ever again. Ever.
But seriously, it’s time for me to reevaluate my choices, so tell me – what cell phone safety rules to do you follow? Do you make calls? Answer them? Shut your phone off all together?
In CA, there are hands free laws. So no calls or texting or anything. Not that that stops people. And it just leaves them fumbling with their Blue Tooth contraption. But yeah…it’s a no no.
I am so guilty of this! My new rule is I can only use the voice activated functions when driving. I wouldn’t be able to give up making calls, driving is the only time I have to myself!
Wow, that was a scary moment for you to be sure. I dodged texters all the way to and from work everyday on the interstate. Oh, yeah, and the girls putting on make up while driving too. My car has a bluetooth built in so it is easy to answer and make calls. Never texted or looked at texts while driving either. Too chicken. Glad you learned a lesson safely.
First of all, I love that you filed this under “dumb”. And that you used the word “flogging”.
I don’t look at texts while driving, or skip songs on Pandora that my kids are begging for me to skip. I’ll skip one at a red light, but that’s it. I do make calls occasionally, but I have to use voice dial. I really need to get a thingie to mount my phone on the dash so i could use the speaker.
In general, it is unsafe for me to to ANY two things at once.
We already had a tag for “dumb” – we should go back and see what other gems are filed away there.
I am guilty! Although I do now have the voice activated blue tooth on my car. I will anser and make calls because I can do it hands free. I will pledge to not text while driving anymore! Glad you are safe and that this was just a lesson learned that you are helping the rest of us to remember also!
I have totally shopped on Amazon while driving, stupid me. I had to download the AT&T Drive Mode app that automatically comes on when you go over like 25 mph so I would stop texting and driving. Glad you learned a lesson and helped spread the word without mowing over any pre-schoolers.
That comment was TOTALLY a Steve comment. True or false?
True. Obvs.
I don’t have voice-activated features (I don’t think?)… so I’ve made the rule that I only dial calls or type texts when stopped at a red light (or stop sign if no one is behind me and I’m desperate). I will answer calls as long as I don’t have dig thru my purse for it. I try to throw my phone in my cup holder before I start driving. Kids are the worst distraction… I was thinking yesterday how they need a campaign to help teach Moms that they don’t need to do every little thing their kid asks for in the car, because seriously, it’s worse than texting. I was imagining billboards that read, “Shut up, Mommy is driving.” Too much?
As a general rule, I don’t text or check email while in the car. I will occasionally make a phone call. Since my kids (ages 4 and 6) are often with me, I do my best to ignore the phone. Heaven knows 2 kids is enough of a distraction! However, upon arriving someplace I will usually check my phone for emails/texts etc. The kids love having to wait and extra 30 seconds in the car until I’m through. 🙂
I was driving down the road not too long ago, trying to put a DVD in for my son, when he asked me to do something else. “I can only do one thing at at time!” I said to him… and then it crossed my mind – that “one thing” should probably be driving.
Kids!
This comment made me laugh the most. As moms we’re always beckoned to multi-task. If only our kids knew what a hazard it was! =) This is probably why so much safety testing goes in to mini vans. They know we drive distracted!
You are one of those people about whom I post!
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Ooh, Emily, maybe you’ll get an AOTW award!