Texting while driving is so tempting, but next time you’re behind the wheel remember this—a driver is 23 times more likely to crash when he or she is texting. Nevertheless, people often forget this danger when they are driving down a familiar neighborhood road and hear the “bbrringg” alerting them of a new message. Try using these ways to keep yourself from texting when your higher conscience fails you.
- Take out the battery and put it in the trunk. That way you won’t even feel the temptation try to pop the battery back in while driving.
- If you have a smartphone, stream music from your phone to your car’s sound system. That way you won’t even want to tell your sister what time you’ll be back with the car because you’ll be too busy using your phone to jam.
- Wear driving gloves to make it impossible to text back. Plus, now you’ll have an excuse to pretend you’re the racecar driver you’ve always dreamed of being. (Don’t speed. Do make vrooming noises.)
- Invent an auto-reply “I’m driving. Give me 15 minutes.” text for your phone… Okay, we admit that’s a little ambitious. Just say you’ll get back to them soon.
- Hang a picture of Justin Bieber from your rear-view window. He recently endorsed software that will disable all texting-like phone features on phones in motion. As soon as you remember that he doesn’t want you to text, you’ll want to throw your phone in the backseat.
What Can You Do For Others?
Help other drivers follow your lead.
- Host a contest that encourages safe driving.
- Post stats about texting and driving around school as part of an awareness campaign.
- Create a PSA discouraging people from texting and driving.
