Is Texting and Driving an Instinct That’s Hard to Fight?

One in five will admit to texting while driving, and they say it's such a strong urge that they can't control it. It's like a reflex.

Does having precious cargo in the car stop you?

What do you do when you hear the text notification go off in the car?  Do you reach for the phone just to see who it is real quick?  Do you reply with a quick "K" or a smiley just so that person will know you're not ignoring them?  That can probably wait.

Time Magazine says about 1 in 5 people know it's dangerous, but cannot resist the urge to text and drive.  The thought process is, "oh, I'll just send this quick text, just this once."  And then we do it a hundred times.

Ok, wakeup call.  You know what stops me from texting and driving?  Three little girls in the back seat.  (The car was not moving when this pic was taken, so don't worry about the unbuckled kid.  We were parked, waiting on the oldest to get out of school.)  Not only is Mama freaked out at the thought of hurting them if I were to get into an accident because of texting and driving stupidity, but I also don't want them to learn the behavior from me.

When we're driving around town and they're sitting in the back seat talking, giggling, and fighting, they're also watching me and how I drive.  They're very perceptive.  If they see me text and drive they might think it's okay, and if they would get into an accident someday when they start driving, I would never forgive myself.  I've got to be a good example.

So many reasons to put the phone down!  Sometimes I leave it in the back of the SUV with the groceries, just so I won't be tempted to touch it if it's near the wheel.

Today is nice, and a great day for a drive.  As long as we're smart about it.