Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Missouri's Text Messaging Law Goes Into Effect

People often wonder if my BlackBerry is attached to me. Well, yes. It serves an important function in my life and helps me keep up with my daily activities. The more I use it, the more I wonder how I ever got along without it. But, it’s important to know when to text and when to focus my full attention on other matters.

A new law goes into effect on Aug. 28, 2009. It prohibits drivers 21 years of age or younger from sending, reading, or writing an electronic message while driving.

What we know is that distracted driving is the leading cause of traffic crashes in our state and across the nation. What teens tell us is that texting is their number one distraction while driving. The purpose of the new law is to encourage inexperienced drivers to focus their full attention on driving.

Under the new law, the fine for texting while driving is $200. That’s a pretty hefty price for a young person to pay. But, it’s not nearly the price they could pay if involved in crash.

Did you know it only takes three seconds to travel more than 300 feet when driving 70 miles per hour? Diverting your eyes from the roadway to text on your cell phone could be your last call. Please keep this in mind the next time you’re considering typing a quick note while driving.

Yes, I text. No, I don’t text while driving. I understand that there isn’t anything taking place in my text conversations that is worth the risk of seriously hurting or killing myself or someone else. It’s important for all drivers to focus their full attention on their driving.

Log on and tell me what you think and give suggested ways for curbing this bad habit among drivers.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Let's Talk

As regional coordinator for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, I am often invited to speak with groups about safe driving habits. Some stories I hear at these outings are uplifting and some are sad. More importantly, we can all learn from these stories because they are about real people just like you and me.

Real People, Real Loss - This summer, a local high school principal in mid-Missouri invited me to speak with students and parents as part of their driver’s education class. The principal was concerned because several teens in this community had died in car crashes during the last school year. Some of the teens were riding with their parents. Sadly, none were wearing a seat belt. The principal felt an urgency to educate the students and community about seat belt safety because she didn’t want to see another young life lost. I applaud her efforts.

Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that without a seat belt, a person can be tossed around and out of a vehicle during a crash. Seat belts keep you secured in your seat.

Check out this link of a taxi cab driver that fell asleep while driving. He ends up with his head out the window of the car after it rolls.



Check out this public service announcement showing how an unbelted passenger hurt others in the car.



In my job I see a lot. I’ve seen people survive serious crashes because they were wearing a seat belt and stayed secured in their seat. I’ve seen crashes in which the passenger area of the car was barely damaged, but the unbelted occupants were thrown from the car or seriously hurt others inside the car as they were tossed about. I hear people tell me they can hold on during a crash. The reality is that the force of a crash at 40 mph is like hitting the ground after falling off a 50-foot cliff. You can’t hold on.

Do As I Do - I am a parent. One of the most important safety tips I’ve tried to teach my children is that they have a much better chance of surviving a vehicle crash if wearing a seat belt. I tell them this sometimes. More importantly, my wife and I show them how important we think it is by buckling up every single time we drive or ride in a vehicle.

Why I Do This - Just like the high school principal, I encourage you to proactively work to encourage others to use their seat belt. Buckling up takes seconds. Use that time to choose wisely because it might just affect the rest of your life or the life of someone you love. My hope is that as I visit places to speak on this topic in the future, the positive stories will outnumber the sad.

Start A Dialogue - I encourage parents and teens to respond to this blog. Let me know what questions you have about safe driving practices like seat belt safety and sober driving. I’m happy to respond and I look forward to hearing from you.