I am scared to drive. Everyone seems so distracted, I feel like driving has become a hazard. The other day I was sitting at a red light and I watched at least ten cars making a left hand turn. As they drove by, I noticed each driver was either talking on a cell phone or had one in their hands texting on it. Not long after that, I was sitting at a red light waiting patiently when all of a sudden I got bumped from behind. Luckily, it was just a little bump and no damage, but it scared me half to death. Who knows what the distracted lady was doing. And then, while coming home from the grocery store, I noticed a car behind me, tailing me closely. A quick glance out the rear view mirror revealed a young teenage girl driving with her cell phone on top of the steering wheel, texting as she traversed the roads. Visions of the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz, pedaling on her bicycle flashed through my mind. And right then and there it hit me. I knew what my mind was trying to tell me. Driving while texting, talking on cell phones, or fidgeting with the radio is exactly like a tornado wreaking havoc through a town.
And like a tornado can destroy lives, a wreck can, too. Believe me, I know. I got the call nearly four years ago that changed my life forever. It was my husband yelling at me to come quick- there had been an accident. Wait a minute- hadn’t my husband and three children just left the classroom I was getting ready for vacation bible school? They had come to see the huge elephant Pete had drawn the previous evening for me.
I hurried out the door and drove to the sight, praying the whole way. I was unprepared for what I saw. A huge truck had rear-ended my husband’s small Saturn and it looked like an accordion in the grass. Fear took hold of me as I scanned the scene for my family.
I quickly found Pete holding our then two-year-old and trying to console him. I looked around and saw nobody lying on the ground, but I couldn’t find my other two children.
“They are in Ann’s house,” said my husband, as if he read my mind. Our friend had a house right by the accident and she had taken the older two inside.
“What happened? Do you know?” I asked, wondering how this accident could have occurred.
“Yes, I do know what happened. That teenager over there,” said my husband pointing, “was changing the radio station. He wasn’t paying attention…”
Come on people, let's stop this nonsense. Driving needs our undivided attention. I would like to add to the campaign that says "Don't drink and drive," and say "Don't text or talk, either." Be safe, please!
