I was reading my March 2011 issue of "Parents" magazine the other day and I read an article that I feel is a stupid thing that has become a massive problem. Distracted drivers. The article focused on the high number of parents who drive while on their cell phones, deal with the kids, and or both all the while driving the car. 27% of adults admit to texting and driving, while 26% of teens admit to it. Regardless of hands-free laws and what not, people are still chatting,emailing,watching DVD's etc, while hurtling around in a 2 ton weapon on wheels.
Now, as most of you know, I am a nanny. I have kids in the car all the time taking them to school, activities, etc. I do have cell phone. I do not use it much, and it is off most of the time, but when I am driving, it is most assuredly off. (Yes, I have talked on it a few times while driving, but not with the kids in the car, and I told whomever it was I was driving and/or pulled over. I am not proud of this.) I cannot understand how, if you are a parent, why you would want to risk the lives of your children to a stupid cell phone! There is no call that is worth your life. One person in the article was backing out of his driveway. He glanced down at an incoming text and ran over his neighbors 9 year old. Another person, who lost a cousin to distracted driving, knowingly drives distracted all the time due to their own kids.
Turing to correct them, hand them food, toys, etc or fiddling with your GPS while driving are all equivalents of drunk driving. What has me mystified is that now there are at least 3 new apps and services to help you on your phone while driving. One is free the others cost per month, but it all adds up to, USING THE BLEEPING OFF BUTTON! Why pay for these things when you can simply turn it off?
I guess if you are that addicted to your phone you need these things:
iZup $49.95 / year or $4/95/ month for Blackberry or Android This one send all incoming calls to voicemail and holds text messages. (It's called turning it off!)
I have a no-eating policy in my car, for myself and others while I am driving, and the kids know the rules. I explain that if they distract me, we could get hurt. They understand that. Why can't adults?
Now, as most of you know, I am a nanny. I have kids in the car all the time taking them to school, activities, etc. I do have cell phone. I do not use it much, and it is off most of the time, but when I am driving, it is most assuredly off. (Yes, I have talked on it a few times while driving, but not with the kids in the car, and I told whomever it was I was driving and/or pulled over. I am not proud of this.) I cannot understand how, if you are a parent, why you would want to risk the lives of your children to a stupid cell phone! There is no call that is worth your life. One person in the article was backing out of his driveway. He glanced down at an incoming text and ran over his neighbors 9 year old. Another person, who lost a cousin to distracted driving, knowingly drives distracted all the time due to their own kids.
Turing to correct them, hand them food, toys, etc or fiddling with your GPS while driving are all equivalents of drunk driving. What has me mystified is that now there are at least 3 new apps and services to help you on your phone while driving. One is free the others cost per month, but it all adds up to, USING THE BLEEPING OFF BUTTON! Why pay for these things when you can simply turn it off?
I guess if you are that addicted to your phone you need these things:
For android/iPhone/Blackberry/Windows Mobile the app is DriveSafe.ly/download.
ZoomSafer for Blackberry and Windows $2.95/month
iZup $49.95 / year or $4/95/ month for Blackberry or Android This one send all incoming calls to voicemail and holds text messages. (It's called turning it off!)
I have a no-eating policy in my car, for myself and others while I am driving, and the kids know the rules. I explain that if they distract me, we could get hurt. They understand that. Why can't adults?