What are some of your thoughts on texting and driving? We all know that it is dangerous and is a major cause of accidents on our roads, but what is the best way to deal with that?

A lot of people say law enforcement is the way to deal with it, and I think they are partially correct. Getting a ticket for endangering your life and the lives around you is certainly reasonable and it does make some people think twice about doing it. However, how many of us still speed, even though we know we will get a ticket if we are caught? Laws help, but they are not the ultimate answer. One study showed that in 3 out of 4 states observed, crashes increased after enacting texting bans.* Does this mean the law is harmful and bad? no. It simply means it is not enough to stop it all together.

The only way to truly stop texting and driving is to change the way we think about it. We all want to stay connected and texting is a great tool for that, but a lot of us put too much importance on staying connected 24/7. This becomes a problem when you have to drive, as it endangers all of the lives around you. So, how can we change the way we think about it? Start by reminding yourself, when you get in the car, that you are responsible for the vehicle and the lives within it. You are also responsible for your actions while operating the vehicle and that is a serious responsibility.

If you cannot keep the phone up front with you and avoid temptation, then put the phone in your trunk, or in the backseat where you cannot reach it. If you really need to make a call or send a text, pull over, retrieve your phone, and proceed with your communication. Once it is done, put the phone back up and resume your drive. 

If you are like me, and you often forget to put your phone somewhere that it can’t be reached, there are a lot of great technology solutions which will block your cell phone from receiving and making non-emergency calls while you’re driving. You can find a great text blocker device at www.key2safedriving.com, for example.

There are a lot of methods for preventing texting and driving, but ultimately the decision lies with you, the driver.

*referenced article: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr092810.html

Find more great safety tips at www.collisionguard.com