ARE CELL PHONES DANGEROUS?

In 2008 a 9 year old girl, Erica, was killed while riding her bike, by a motorist on her cell phone.  Erica was only 15 pedals away from her house. Oprah Winfrey said that was the story that impacted her the most. "It is something about the 15 pedals. Because we all have been on a bicycle and we know what 15 pedals to the front door means." Winfrey said. "To arrive home and see your daughter lying dead on the street when she was 15 pedals from the front door was devastating and recognizing that it didn’t have to happen."  
 
This started Winfrey on a campaign to have people take a pledge to "hang up and drive"   Every year about 6,000 people are killed and 500,000 injured because of people being distracted driving due to cell phone use.  Studies have found that drivers who use their cell phones for talking or texting have a much slower response time than those who do not.  They also have slower reaction times than people with blood alcohol levels of .08. (The level where one is considered Driving Under the Influence.)  Studies show that people who talk and drive at the same time are four times more likely to crash. Those who text and drive are 20 times more
likely to have an accident.
 
Thirty years ago, a mother of a child who was killed by a person driving under the influence of alcohol started a movement MADD (mother against drunk drivers).  Soon SADD was formed, (Students against drunk drivers).  The movement has changed and now SADD stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions).
 
 I think we should follow the lead of students and take the pledge that we will refrain from making "destructive decisions" and pledge that we will not drive using a cell phone.  We will also pledge to "encourage" our families and friends to not use a cell phone while driving.
 
As I walk throughout the community I see people trying to drive using one hand and the other hand is holding a cell phone against their ear.  I see people trying to make a turn using one hand and talking on a cell phone.  When I taught Drivers Training, to high school youth,  the rule was "two hands on the steering wheel."  I think that is still good advice. Ray LaHood,  U. S., Transportation Secretary said, "It’s time for drivers to act responsibly, Put your hands on the wheel and focus on the road."
 
In the 1960’s, we were introduced to seat belts.  Many people were hesitant to "buckle up", but did put children in seat belts.  Now almost all drivers buckle up.  It has become a habit, a way of life when driving.  Let all of us pledge to NOT use a cell phone while driving! Hopefully "no phones while driving" will become a way of life and will save lives.
 
Shalom,
 
R. Jan Thompson