How to Not Text and Drive

We’ve all done it and we’ve all defended ourselves with an excuse and then a final, “I need to stop doing it.”  But when do you finally decide to stop texting and driving?

For me it was about three weeks ago when I made a pact with my girlfriend.  I’m not saying I did it all the time but, like all of us, I always knew it was wrong.  There are many, many things in life in which we are unable to learn from the mistakes of others.  Often times, we don’t learn unless we experience them directly and I decided I didn’t want this to be one of them; a tragedy that would finally open my eyes to the dangers of texting and driving.

It really can wait.

Here are some things that have helped me get out of the habit of looking at my phone when I’m driving.

  1.  Put the phone out of sight.  If you can’t see it you won’t be tempted to look at a text.
  2. Turn the volume up.  If you are worried about missing something then turn up your phone.  If it’s important, it’ll be a phone call.
  3. Make a promise to someone you love that you won’t do it anymore.  There were times I thought about texting and my promise kept me from doing it.
  4. Talk to someone who has been affected by it.  That will really make you think.
  5. Come down to Earth.  You aren’t invincible.  You can decide not to test that limit.

Ellen Degeneres said it right, “If it takes both hands to do your head should probably be in on it, too.”

Danielle Clark

About Danielle Clark

I am 28 years old and for 5 years out of college I played basketball for a living. I was a professional basketball player in Europe so I spent most of my years there and came back to Maine for summers and a couple weeks at Christmas time. I thought my years there would open my eyes to what I want to be when I "grow up." That didn't happen. I have discovered, however, that I just have to try something. Just do things and toss myself into them. I have currently tossed myself into being a college basketball assistant coach and one on one reading tutor. I grew up in Corinna, Maine and have been a resident Mainer. I love sports, reading, writing, cooking, baking, watching movies... everything. I have lots of hobbies and not enough time in the day!