Intentional Distracted Driving is the Same as Drunk Driving

Talking on cellular phones and texting while driving is the same as drunk driving.

Statistics are proving the case. Distracted Driving is as bad as drunk driving. Distracted driving is often necessary. When distracting driving is not necessary it is a crime in certain circumstances. Let us be clear the worst distracted driving is cell phone use distracted driving. Texting is the very very worst form of distracted driving. And the stats are in that hands free makes no difference.

We here got notified of four deaths caused by distracted drivers last weekend. The death numbers will jump up this year for a very obvious reason. Distracted cell phone users have been causing injury and death at an alarming rate but we will see dramatic increases this year. The reason is that now police are looking for it. A mere year ago they did not. Perhaps it was reporters who constantly ask that got the ball rolling, who cares it is now rolling. But be prepared to be shocked when we find the injury and fatalities jump and double this year. We saw the same thing with drunk drivers in the 60’s and 70’s of the last century.

And a scandal is coming.

Here in California both times plus amendment times that serious bills were sponsored by politicians they included hands free. Cellular phone companies lobbied heavily against those provisions but caved on the hand held concept. Of course they did, they then sold millions of hands free devices and got contracts with automobile manufacturers to build them into cars. It is disgusting. When US Senate hearings begin on this issue, we will all follow the money and some politicians will be exposed.

Hands free cellular use while driving is not safe. It is a distraction from what should not be a primary purpose but the only purpose while driving – should be driving.

For 2012 there are reported 3,000 + people that were killed by drivers distracted by cellular devices. There were 10,000+ that were killed by drunk drivers.

These stats do not include fender benders with no police report and they do not include hundreds of thousands where the cause of distraction was ignored by police as irrelevant or do to ignorance or lack of man power. 3 years ago no police department or sheriff’s department or state patrol had instructions to inquire and investigate such matters. We assume many do now and it will grow.

Every US state has programs for drunk drivers that are mandated. No state has programs for distracted drivers that are mandated.

Note that today if you call AT&T and are on hold, there will be a warning not to drive distracted. Too little but a clear sign they know the problem exists and still fight laws to prevent proper measures to curtail this crime against innocents.

Remember what went down on the tobacco companies this will be even a harder hit. And ultimately you will pay for it. The problem is not that it is a dangerous activity but that the cellular companies have been covering it up and not issuing warnings and actually lying about the risks.

Now there are some times when the phone is appropriate to use in the car. When you are not driving. But let us look at some reasons for talking on the phone while driving:

1. For important business.
2. For speaking with your destination and getting directions.
3. For coordinating your day.
4. To say that you will be late.
5. To say you are on your way.
6. To check messages while wasting time behind the wheel.
7. Just to talk to a friend.

Now let us look at texting or surfing:

1. Social networking.
2. Chatting about last night or tonight.
3. Gossip.
4. OMG’s.
5. Sharing.
6. Work.
7. Giving family directions.

All of the above are selfish and some profit making motives. Do you really want to put a child in another car or your own at risk for the above reasons. At highway speeds you go about 1,000 feet while texting, without looking at the road. Are you really that bad ass of a driver and a psychic on top of it? About 5 seconds is a short text time.

Is this a reflection of our society? For a little fun, convenience or profit we risk children’s lives. That is disgusting.

Now this is the first public announcement of our newest move. We believe that Jesus Christ taught us well that whoever treats the little children well treats him well and the opposite is also true. We believe that there is a special place for children in this world. That they are gifts from God and the purist of his creation. Christ told us to love our “neighbor” as our self. How can we do these things while texting or phoning while driving? We cannot. So on the principles taught us by Christ we are Christians Against Distracted Driving. C.A.D.D.. No, not a membership aside from being a Christian.

There is no need to organize more than we already are organized. There is no need for T-Shirts and fund raisers. There is simply a need to propound and live by the teachings of Christ and that is that.

We would like to see just like shows up on a cell phone email that it is sent from “I Phone”, saying “I am texting you while driving” We would like to see transmission blockers on the drivers seat area of all cars. We do not want roving transmissions banned or blocked for that goes to far. But we would like to see apps that auto respond to any incoming transmission and tells them you are driving, and then highlights for you what you missed while driving. We would like to see highways develop pull out areas for cell phone usage. And we want to see them provided by cellular phone companies and not allow pass throughs because they have criminally ignored and/or covered up this serious health risk to people.

Things you can do. Be really strict in your home. Insist on not cell use while driving. Lead by example. Hang up on folks driving and calling you and tell them why. Talk about it at work, at church and at home and out and about.

We cannot advise you to show aggressive hand gestures to folks driving and using a phone for text or calling, but we cannot advise you not to do that, it may actually help.

We can ask you to tell your employer that you will not talk on the phone in the car. But doing it right and in a cooperative and explanatory language. May help spread the word.

Write comments where you can and mention it to people when it is mentioned casually. One gal who died this weekend was just in her twenties and sent a text about being happy just seconds before she went across the median and hit a cop car head on instantly killing herself. Thank goodness it was a big cruiser, and not a cheap little car with a family..