"Don't text and drive." We've all heard it about a thousand times from our teachers,
parents, friends, and just about everyone else. So, why is it still such a problem?

Last week, a mother in my hometown hit me on the road because she failed to stop at a stop sign. Why, you ask? Because of that little glossy, convenient, must-have device sitting in her lap: her phone. Thankfully, we were both alright and not much damage was done, however, it occurred to me that this is not always the case. More than 3,000 teenagers die each year in motor vehicle accidents caused by texting and driving. Yet, quite obviously, teens aren't the only perpetrators. More and more grown adults continue to use their cell phones behind the wheel due to this demanding, digital world we now live in. Apparently we cannot live without this instant gratification and entertainment..for even a few minutes.

I will not lie to you, there have been times where I've glanced at my phone while driving, but this sickening epidemic truly needs to end. It angers me, actually, both the stupidity and severity of this issue, and here's why:

You're not the only one facing the consequences.

I emphasized the word "mother" in my first sentence because that truly was the first thing that came to mind at the time of the accident. In this woman's backseat were two young children, no more than seven or eight years old. This past February, CBS News posted an article online stating that, in regards to car crash fatalities, the backseat may be even more dangerous than the front passenger seat. This is due to the lack of protection (airbags, etc.) that have been developed for seats in the rear of most vehicles. If we hadn't been in a quaint, suburban area, things could have gone a lot differently, and a child could have potentially been hurt (or worse). All because of a text.

You might as well be intoxicated.

Yeah, you heard me. It's funny, the way people deem texting and driving as being vastly different (and less severe) than drinking and driving, because it's actually not. Approximately 2,700 teenagers are killed in drunk driving accidents each year (Yeah, that's less than the number of fatalities due to texting and driving). Logically, it does make sense. Impaired vision has to be somewhat better than taking one's eyes off of the road altogether. But, this ideology just isn't the most popular one. We all have that friend who refuses to get behind the wheel after having one light beer, yet seems to always be the first one to change the song, or text back her boyfriend while driving. That noble, cliché line, "I would never drink and drive" truly counts for absolutely nothing when you're still willing to pull out your phone to browse Instagram behind the wheel. They're both dangerous, not to mention illegal.

I wish that there was a concrete solution to be offered for this problem, but it's only going to change once we change. I say we, because I'm here living in 2015, and this is my problem as well. When I go about my daily drives to the gym, work, and everywhere else, I just have to assume that those around me are not paying attention. I feel even more pressured and less safe having to monitor those around me on the road. Even if you can swear on The Bible that you never have, nor ever would text and drive, that still won't prevent you from being a victim. These accidents happen everyday, and they have the capability to ruin lives. So, do yourself a favor. Do everyone else a favor, and just put down that little electronic best friend of yours. You'll thank yourself later.