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GRANDS SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE

Don’t Text and Drive
By: Cathy Droz

Using one’s communication and socialization skills with grandchildren can be a challenge for Grands at any time, no less in a moving vehicle. With today’s technology our grandchildren know how to text and tweet before they can write and speak. It may be a  challenge to stop your teens and tweens from using modern technology in the passenger seats while driving to the playground or the soccer field, but the best thing you can do as their grandparents is not do the same while driving.

The University of Utah studies show that 70% of accidents involving teens are caused by sending and receiving text messages. That is equivalent to drinking and driving with two times the legal limit of alcohol.  Many states have outlawed both cell phone (other than hands free) and texting while driving.  In some instances there is also a ban for teens to use hands-free devices for their phones.
 
Granted, I don’t text well standing up, no less driving, but I do use my cell phone hands-free in the car.  I have a Bluetooth ear piece while many newer model cars have this feature included. Even with these precautions, pulling over to take a call or a text message is the safest bet.

If our grandchildren, even as young as two years old, see us fumble for the cell phone, take one hand off the wheel and start talking or texting while driving they will think its okay.  Operating these devices in this fashion can be deadly; just ask those people who have lost their loved ones to someone who was texting or talking on their cell phone.

Three letter acronyms can be used to shorten a word or sentence, but texting while driving can shorten the life of another driver, pedestrian or your loved ones. Be conscious of your actions, be a role model for your grandkids while driving.