Will Text Messaging Kill You?

JDC Parent's Legacy-Commentary: Food for thought, for adults and parents of teens!

Our world is truly a wonder and marvel of the natural, and man-made technology. -- In the covered wagon days, the strong willed risk takers of the West, would never have envisioned what we deem, the tools of modern day prosperity. Things placed in plastic casings with chip memory capability to do just about anything, perhaps even future genius secretly able to rule the world.

In the perfectibility of things, man too often forgets: that it is the human element of an imperfect being, lack of experience, the stress of the times or just pure stupidity that changes the equation of how one's reaction to a situation can change the course of one's life.

Why is it one bypasses common sense in lieu of expediency? What can't wait? In place of practicality we vie and cultivate patterns for the advantages of the "now-in-time" - haste!

* Modern technology of text messaging appears to have played a significant part in the loss of life of five cheerleaders. -- Beautiful girls, the light of beauty in their faces, with prized long hair and the air of pride beaming back from class pictures. The sadness of such a tragedy is the loss of the potential of five women the world shall never get to know, nor what special gifts they may have contributed to the betterment of society.

Herein lies a lesson: The accident investigation at this point is leaning toward the fact that the driver may have been at fault in text messaging while driving. Somehow in a matter of seconds: a message was sent, replied to and in the course of those actions, the driver lost control and hit another vehicle. Several seconds later, a call to 911 was made for help --- seconds of time recorded on modern technology and then silence.

* We are all someone's son or daughter. -- We are a legacy to our parent's love, their instruction, guides, both by word and - example. When our children complain: because they have heard it before, how can one assume they truly get it? The fact that there would actually be severe consequences to their actions, floats obliviously through their brains, perceived as innocent nothings, being low on the gage of importance.

Sharon Montgomery a safety advocate recently interviewed on The Newsroom has indicated how serious and ever increasing the situation of cell phone and text messaging use while driving has become. Presently there are only five states in the country that have restricted cell use and one restricting text messaging. In the State of Illinois the only place where restrictions are in force is in the City of Chicago.

The question arises: as adults do we need to be forced into restrictive practices? -- Apparently with our precious children, yes, we do. Man has to find the happy medium between expediency and common sense so that anyone of us is not the next victim. Maybe like the issue of seat belts, this issue too, will require a mandated law unless man can better monitor himself.

* If we refuse to let our common sense guide us - what good is it? Do we as a society wait for that knock at the door, opening it to a sinking feeling down to the pit of our stomach - the palpitation of a pounding heart - the outcry of a loving mother ... to two men in uniform, with badge numbers and holsters belted, billy clubs of protection and the proud stance of an officer of peace? -- No officer wants to be at that door for you to open, but it is part of their job to not only protect, but to bear the ugly burden of notifying a parent of the loss of a precious child.

"Is your life worth losing over a few minutes of delay to do something?" Is it worth it to continue to breath and enjoy all that life has to offer, by pulling over for a few minutes to answer a cell phone or text a message?

What seems to be missing in the equation of why accidents and deaths happen is: The perception that one can do more than one thing at a time while driving. On the road the pressure mounts, distractions occur, delays and setbacks affect our psyche. It only takes "one second" in time, - to kill you or mangle your body forever and tear a family apart. Are you willing to take that chance? -- For just a few minutes saved? If you are ask yourself why?

How sharp or stupid can a driver be? -- As Forest played by Tom Hanks in the movie, "Forest Gump" says: "stupid is what stupid does."

CeCe Day Hill (cgh)-Jane Doe Chronicles (c) 2005-2007 - All Rights Reserved
CeCe Day Hill (cgh) The Jane Doe Chronicles (c) 2005-2007 - All Rights Reserved