Starr Struck PSA: Stop Using Your Phone While Driving!

This is a common scenario from my daily life:

I get into the car after teaching a yoga class. My phone has been on airplane mode for the last two hours or so (sometimes more), so I switch it back on and take the ringer off of silent. I place it on the passenger seat next to me, then I put my keys in the ignition, start the car, and pull out onto the road.

As I drive, my phone starts to register all of the activity the took place while it was disconnected. I get text message dings, social media alerts (even though I've turned most of these off now, as you know!), beeps letting me know that I have a new voicemail or two, and if scheduled, a calendar reminder. It's a lot.

I look out at the road while I drive, but as these alerts come in, I start to feel the tug to turn my gaze. I feel my eyes drifting over to the seat next to me, trying to catch a glance at the text or alert on my phone's screen. Is it something important? Does someone need me? Who is it that posted a sweet comment about the class that I just taught? My need to look at these things RIGHT AWAY is strong, because as we all know by now, technology has an addictive quality (and I am an addict)...

Sometimes I resist the urge to look and just keep my eyes on the road like the responsible, safe person that I am--but sometimes I don't. It's the times that I don't resist the urge--the times that I pick up my cell, just to take a quick look--that I think it's important to discuss.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? If so, we're in the same boat. We're guilty of distracted driving, something that is very, very dangerous, and something we need to stop stat. 

It's crazy when you think about it: I avoid certain foods because of the unhealthy chemicals in them ("I don't want to put that in my body!"), I don't drink and drive, I don't smoke--all because I want to take care of myself and because I want to live a long, healthy life--but then I'll check a text, or even worse, write a text (!!!) while driving. It doesn't add up. 

When I really sit down and think about it, I feel so lucky that I haven't been in a crash caused by my own stupidity and need to be 'plugged-in.'

So today, I wanted to remind you of the dangers of distracted driving, and ask you to join me in my commitment to STOP doing it. It's real, you guys, I've experienced it firsthand, and I know it's dangerous. There have been quite a few times when I have had to slam on the brakes because I was glancing at my phone (I know! I'm so embarrassed to admit this!) and I'm willing to bet that a few of you have had to do this, too. 

How can you work to develop better habits? Keep your phone on silent and in your bag while you drive. Or switch it to "do not disturb" mode. Or put it in the trunk. Whatever it takes for you to be safer (I'm going to try waiting to turn it back on until AFTER I get home). It sounds scary to be disconnected while driving, I know (ridiculous!), but I'm going to try it and see how it goes. 

Want to learn more about distracted driving? Check out the Decide to Drive program, courtesy of The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance. These two organizations have teamed up to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving with a program that 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.

Oh, and here's a statistic that I think is worth mentioning:

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.

So how about it, peeps? Why not make a commitment to just driving when behind the wheel? I know it sounds hard, but I'm going to give it a try, and I hope you will, too...

 Thanks for reading!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.