Texting While Driving – Take the Pledge
Law firms that work with clients accused of breaking the law are in the business of solving uncomfortable and often very serious legal problems. Often our clients express their frustrations that “I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time – if only I could go back in time and get a second chance.” Often our appeal to the judge includes the argument that our client is an honest, hardworking person who made a mistake this time and has certainly learned his lesson.
Here is something that we can all do to avoid driving related legal problems – take a pledge that we will not text and drive and that we will try to avoid using our phones at all. Local television station 11Alive has created a program called “the Great Hang Up” that includes a pledge that you, your family members and anyone you know can sign. The pledge reads:
“I ______________ pledge to do my best to stop using my cell phone when driving. I will not text, email or talk on my phone while driving my car. I understand that driving while distracted is dangerous to me and to others on the road. I will do my best to pass this message along to others I care about.”
Texting or talking while driving is purely a voluntary act. Even if you are at this site for another reason, take a minute to think about the implications of texting or driving distracted and sign the pledge.
Distracted driving is a particular problem for teen drivers. Many teens find it difficult to resist the urge to steal a glance at their cell phones when they hear the buzz or tone indicating that a new text has come through.