Safety Before Cell Phone Use While Driving

As a teenager a commonly shared dream is that of receiving your license. At the age of fifteen it was time to take drivers education classes. Of course as in any teen, it was very exciting.

The first day of class began with the showing of what should be considered "horror films." They were films showing fatal accidents and the effects of alcohol and drugs. One thing not covered on that day was the use of cell phones. The truth is that most teens think and often say "That would never happen to me" and of course too often it does. After walking out of that class a feeling of fear resided at the pit of my stomach. However, it was important to continue on the quest to drive.

So continuing on this quest the feeling of power enters your mind or at least for some. A close friend who had recently received his license came by my house and offered to take me to school for the rest of the year. Thinking that nothing would happen we proceeded to school. As we entered the parking lot of the school a car came from behind at about forty miles per hour and hit us. The hit occurred on the driver's side throwing my head into the window.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity of sitting in the car in shock we got out of the car and proceeded to the car that had hit ours. As I began my walk around the car something began to run down my face, it was of course blood. My head had shattered the glass window and a piece of the glass was stuck in my head.

As we approached the other vehicle to find out what had happened the driver threw down his phone. It was a peer of ours that both of us were familiar with. We both asked what happened and we did not get a response until the police came. What had happened was that the driver was on the phone at the time and was not paying attention to the road. He thought that he had more time to slow down, but he was wrong.

After five hours in the hospital they were able to get most of the particles of glass removed from my head, most but not all. To this day there remains a piece of glass in my head. It does not cause any pain, but I know why it's there. It's there because someone decided that the conversation that they were having was far more important than his safety or those around him.

So, what is my advice about driving and cell phones? Either get a hands free device or even try speakerphone. If you find yourself getting distracted in any way, put the phone away and call that person back later. If it is an important call pull over and take your call. It really is that simple. It really comes down to one choose what is more important safety or a phone call?