I see it all on my way into work.  I see people putting on makeup, texting, talking on the phone, and eating cereal.  I often think to myself, if the person if front of them had to slam on the brakes – what would happen?  IF they saw the brake lights would they have time to stop their car?  I get irritated, I will admit it, and I take it personal that those people are willing to risk MY life to be able to pay attention to the phone or the next layer of mascara. 

Think about it…when something happens in traffic, a car pulling out, someone veering into the other lane – there’s not a whole lot of time to react.  To drive a car you have to have those “cat-like” reflexes.  How are you going to do that while applying eyeliner or eating your Fruit Loops?  You can’t – you’re not going to be able to react, which will most likely cause the person in the car behind or beside you to also be in danger. 

It is estimated that 1.6 MILLION crashes a year occur because of cell phones and texting.  That doesn’t even take into account other things that people are doing while driving.  That is unreal to me, and you know what makes me angry?  It’s avoidable!  Countless families are losing members, children losing parents, parents losing kids – and for what?  No reason at all…

Seriously, before you pick up the phone to make that call or even send that quick text – ask yourself if you HAVE to do that right now?  Can you send the quick text while sitting at a traffic light?  Then wait till then, if it’s that important. 

And, for the parents of teenage drivers, please talk to them about this.  They were raised with cell phones and such, its part of who they are.  Make sure they understand the repercussions of cell phone use while driving. 

Really, this is a matter of life or death and we should treat it that way.