Reminder: To Put Your Phone Down When You Get Behind the Wheel. #NationalSafeDrivingWeek #ThumbsUpPhoneDown
I've been driving for many years, far more than I'm willing to admit, but lets just say I've turned 29 a number of times. I know we like to think that with age comes the wisdom and life experience that helps us make better choices, but I'm not sure that's always true. In particular I don't think it's true when it comes to safe driving.
Unlike the youth of today, many of us "mature" drivers have not taken a driving course. More likely than not our parents, sibling, or friend taught us to drive, and since then we've had no additional training or refresher courses. Meaning a great many of us do not know how a 4-way stop works and who has the right of way, or how to properly navigate a traffic circle.
FYI:
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| Image via Ontario Ministry of Transportation |
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| Image via Ontario Ministry of Transportation |
We think our years of driving somehow compensates for distracted driving, and not giving the road 100% of our attention. We think we are fine if we've only had a few drinks, or to to drive while taking medication that warns us not to drive while taking it. We think it's only the young kids that speed, or are distracted by others in the vehicle.
BUT
We are wrong.
We are wrong.
I have two boys, both of whom are making their way through the courses and phases of getting their licence. My youngest is the one pointing out people speeding, not indicating, running a red, or not coming to a full stop at a stop sign. He is the one noting that the person beside us in talking, texting, or READING while they are driving. And guess what ... the majority of the time it is not teens and young drivers, it's us, the ones who have had our licences for ages and should know better and be modelling better behaviour to our kids and those young drivers around us.
Maybe we just need a little help, or a refresher every now and then. Given National Safe Driving Week started today I thought I would share a few tips of my own and links from TELUS and the Canada Safety Council to help get us headed in the right direction on our road to safe driving.
Cathy's Tip #1
See this bag...
It came from the dollar store. What if you buy one and put your phone in this every time you get into your car and leave it there until you get out.
Cathy's Tip #2
See this note.
What if you put this somewhere in your vehicle so you or anyone else that drives your vehicle can see it as a reminder to give their full attention to the road.
Cathy's Tip #3
Take some time every year to review the rules of the road and then actually follow them!
Helpful Links:
Yep, just me Cathy thinking about Distracted Driving and how not to be.
Note: I was not compensated for this post in any way. The purpose of this post is merely to share what I consider to be valuable information and resources with my readers.
Let me just say I think you are wonderful to write this post. It is something that needs to get out there more and it will save lives. On a side note love your name when I think out loud I get in trouble my tag should be joannezippingherlip lol
ReplyDeleteThis is really valuable information and something that all drivers should respect. I see a lot of seasoned drivers breaking these rules and they're not setting a good example AND it's dangerous. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBesos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Great post Cathy, When I get in my vehicle I put my phone out of reach or if Sherri is with me pass it over to her! It is just not worth it to ruin my life, my families or even someone else's due to the fact I needed to answer or read something off of my phone a few minutes earlier, maybe even seconds.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips on such an important topic. It bugs me to no end to see friends texting and driving, as it is so dangerous.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips. I am not a good driver myself so I definitely need to take my time and really learn the rules as well.
ReplyDeleteWow! Great post & great ideas! I am so setting up the "put it in the bag while driving" idea. My son is 2 months shy of his 16th birthday. The routine should be in place by then. :)
ReplyDelete