“KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL!!!” I yelled. Well actually it was more of a shriek as my Mother-in-Law Liz swerved all over the road trying to reach the cell phone that was ringing in the bottom of her purse.
“I don’t want to die today!!!”
Liz looked at me kind of funny, put her hands on the wheel, and said, “Its probably Henry (my Father-in-Law), and he’ll wonder why I don’t answer” To which I replied “I’m pretty sure he’d rather you miss his call than hit that tree you just BARELY missed!”
My Mother-in-Law is the worst of drivers. She gets beyond distracted by the slightest thing and its a terrifying experience! Since this recent “driving episode”, things have gotten better… thank goodness!
As the wife of a trucker, I hear about all kind of accidents. As the daughter-in-law of a man that works in a funeral home, I hear about far to many deaths. Deaths that could have been avoided if the driver had just been focused on the road. Far too often I see people talking on their cells, texting, putting on makeup or taking photos all while they are supposed to be focused on the road.
I learned to tune out distractions and focus on the road the hard way when I was just 16. I’d only had my drivers licence for a few months. Daddy had given me his old truck to drive and I loved the wind in my hair and the music up loud. Driving home from work one summer day, I was singing my heart out to some country song. I looked down at the radio and turned up the volume. In that second I took my eyes off the road, the guys on the motorcycles ahead of me, stopped and signaled to turn. Because I wasn’t paying attention, I didn’t see their signals until it was too late!
CRASH!!!
I rear ended one of the motorcycles, and the driver went flying off his bike. That horrible moment that the driver was flying through the air is forever suspended in slow motion in my mind. Miraculously the driver wasn’t seriously hurt – banged up, shaken and a little bruised, but alive! Something I am still beyond thankful for!
We’ve all heard the stories, drivers that took their focus off the road for a split second and in that moment lives were changed, sometimes lives were lost too. It seems like more of these stories are in the news lately. And it breaks my heart! Did you know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the nearly 33,000 roadway fatalities in 2012, there were 3,328 fatalities and approximately 421,000 injuries in distracted driving-related crashes. Thats 3,328 fatalities and 421,000 injuries too many!
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance want to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. The Decide to Drive program aims to empower drivers and passengers to speak up about distracted driving, continue the conversation at home, work and play, and reduce distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
Do you have the best slogan or catch phrase to make the Decide to Drive campaign pop? Enter the Decide to Drive Catch Phrase Contest between May 28 – June 13. Your words could be chosen as the official Decide to Drive campaign catch phrase, and you could win one of two $500 runner-up prizes or the $1,000 grand prize! Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Enter here:http://clvr.li/1nwa6CV
Leave your phone in your pocket or purse.
Keep your hands on the wheel.
Use voice operated technology.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!
What is the CRAZIEST thing you’ve seen some one doing while driving?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
colleenpence says
Oh, my gosh! I'm so glad the man you hit wasn't badly injured. I'm sure that terrible experience was a wake up call for you. Sharing your story is a reminder to me to keep my eyes and attention on the road…always. Thanks for sharing this, Jennifer.
Lexy says
Such a great message we all need reminded of!
ashleynmoss says
Wow! What a great reminder! I was t always a focused driver but I’ve become a lot better once I had kids, I shouldn’t risk our safety just to look at my phone or search my bag for lip gloss. Great post!
Julie says
Scary! One of my favorite things about my new-ish car is that it has voice commands.
Emily H. says
So true we are way to distracted driving these days. I worry about teaching my kids to drive now a days.
Amanda Haney says
So glad that man wasn’t badly injured. Your MIL sounds like mine!!
Patti says
This is such an important post…pinning.
Megan says
Nothing makes me more mad that someone who texts while they are driving….gah!
aimee fauci says
People are always doing crazy things while driving.. Most craziest thing is not having their kids in car seats and seat belts.. Of course texting and driving is huge!
Ellen Delap says
A very important daily reminder! Thanks!
Kristen says
thanks for sharing this! My brother had a horrible accident in HS because he looked down at his phone. It only takes one small distraction to change a life.
Melissa D says
This scares me like nothing else. I pride myself on not being distracted while driving, but I can't control what other people are doing around me. It seems that we have constant road construction near our home, which is annoying, but helps keep me alert in our day-to-day errands.
Kelley @ {foreverslikeadream} says
I’m definitely guilty of letting distractions get in the way sometimes when I’m driving, but I have been trying to turn my phone on silent and limit any distractions I can possibly can. It’s a scary thing out there with all of the new devices and gadgets to keep our attention away from where it should be when on the road. Things are much different than I was learning to drive – that’s for sure!
emmymom2 says
It really is scary how distracted people can get. I have seen someone brushing their teeth, reading a book, texting and talking on phones of course. Glad the guy on the motorcycle was okay, that would be so scary!
Hearts & Home says
As a motorcycle rider I can relate all too well. I can’t tell you the close calls I have witnessed and sadly last week two riders lost their lives because of a distracted driver. The driver was also badly hurt as was her passengers including a 6 yr old child. It was not the end to our vacation my husband and I had planned.
I wonder when people will realize that phone call, text or whatever is truly not worth taking their eyes off the road.
Coolchillmom says
So scary how as I turn to my fellow drivers everyone is on the phone talking or texting! So glad you are supporting this campaign
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says
Oh wow! What a great post! I know I need to be a more focused driver. I’ve been guilty of both talking and texting while driving. Thank you for sharing your stories!
daydreamingbeauty says
Nothing irks me more than seeing teenagers texting and driving, or people putting on mascara or eyeliner while driving. I mean really Don’t they care abou their eyes?!