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Two days have passed since my initial Mom Sends the Message post. Emails arrived in my inbox which tell me this is a heated discussion. Everyone agrees it is a problem and not many of us are willing to take the action necessary to eliminate the distraction while driving. I’m guilty too. As a woman, I find myself multi-tasking every moment possible. A cell phone helps me do that. Women tend to try and be all things to all people in their family…it’s expected of us most of the time.

So yesterday I found myself driving home from the YMCA. It’s a short trip, but I was in the car with no kiddos. Perfect time for a phone call. I picked up the phone to call my sister and see if their recent bout with strep was beginning to end. Halfway into the conversation I realized my brain dead decision. I’m paying attention to the funny story my sister is telling me instead of driving. Driving became my secondary concern. Not good. And after I ranted about this to all of you. Please, forgive me.

Really, that just illustrates how integrated this connectivity has become in our lives. Later today, while at home, I picked up the phone and called my insightful friend, Hawk. You see, Hawk is a police officer and he sees the effects of this kind of distraction everyday. When I stated my initial reason for calling he burst into laughter. Yes, he chuckled heartily. Does distraction play a part in traffic and accident issues,  ”Well, yeah!”

He immediately backed up his laughter with some serious information – one-third of all accidents are now proven to be caused by issues with texting and cell phone usage. And regarding the area around our elementary school? He ventured to guess that 80% of the drivers who are dropping off their own children are participating in some kind of cell phone or texting activity while waiting in line. After all, we are multi-tasking, right?

He mentioned that the police officer which is posted in front of our school as a community service has actually been hit by a car when working at another school location. I begged him to get more details on this. It might not be a cell phone that caused the incident, but it had to be a distraction. In my car, kids alone are enough of a distraction, but I would hope to notice a uniformed officer standing in front of me. I’m thinking that was not a good day for either the driver or the officer involved!

Some of the feedback I received said, “There should be laws.” And you’d be surprised to hear that there often are laws already related to distracted driving here in my state of Georgia. They are very poorly written and often contain loopholes which allow a defense attorney’s client to have the charges dropped. In some cases these laws have even been challenged by the Georgia State Supreme Court. Until we start paying attention to the specifics in these laws I’m afraid they will simply serve as good press for the cell phone lobbyists and legislators.

Here’s your chance to start taking action. Take the Mom Sends the Message challenge. It’s even available on facebook. Other pledge options include NHSTA/DOT’s Distraction.gov suggestions and a pledge being encouraged by our local television new station called The Great Hang Up. However you do it, please make the conscious effort to use your phones and connectivity wisely.

I’m doing it. Won’t you join me?