While going through my Facebook feed the other day, I came across a video that caught my eye. The caption of the video was "I will never do this again... repost to save a life". The video starts off with several young individuals admitting using their phones while they drive and their reasons for doing so. Their responses were all very common: texting a friend back, replying to a Snapchat, etc. As the young adults expressed their reasons for using their phones, they were laughing and enjoying the conversation. Unexpectedly, a woman walked into the room to join the young adults while being interviewed. She sat across from each of them and told her story. This women was in a terrible accident caused by a distracted driver on their phone which ended up paralyzing half of her body and killing her parents; she had to learn how to walk again, how to speak, feed herself, etc.
Coming from someone who has used her phone while driving before, this honestly changed my perspective on using my phone while I drive. I can admit that I have used my phone before for the same reasons the people in the video had. People always think "Oh, that will never be me; I only use my phone sometimes", myself included. But when you are interacting with or hearing of someone who has been in an accident because the driver was too distracted on his/her cell phone, it can be extremely life changing. Responding to a text message can wait the 10 minute drive; the Snapchat can wait until you arrive home safely. It's scary to think about what would happen if you were hit by a driver on their phone and you were paralyzed-- or what if you were the driver that ended someone's life because felt the need to check your phone. That split second can change your life forever. Is your phone really worth it?
"It Can Wait" is an organization that helps prevent phone usage while driving. This organization travels around the US to many high schools, communities, etc, to spread the word of how dangerous and serious this issue is. To pledge to keep your eyes on the road and not your phone, or for more information about this organization, go to http://www.itcanwait.com/all . Will you take the pledge?
