Shut up and Save a Life

Today I came across an article that was posted in The Seattle Times about drivers ignoring a law for hands-free cell phone devices.

The article struck my heart for many reasons and got me thinking. The first reason is that Seattle Pacific University and one of its many brilliant professors is mentioned. Another is that Ravensdale, a place very close to where I live, is mentioned too. But, perhaps one of the bigger reasons this article resonated with me, is that many people I know are constantly distracted by their cell phones while driving.

I have one friend in particular, who consistantly multi-tasks while on her cell phone.

When she calls me, I hear her distributing fast food she's just purchased for her children in the back seat, as she switches on the DVD player so her kids have something to watch while they eat, while also reading to me the latest text message she just received - ALL WHILE DRIVING HER CAR!

I can't tell you how many times I've suggested we continue chatting later so that she can focus on the road. There have been countless breathless moments when our conversation has been suddenly cut short and my mind's eye imagines that she's crashed into someone or something and caused a horrific accident. (Fortunately it's usually a crappy service connection, but still.)

I'm a human being, I've certainly been tempted to review a text when I'm going too fast on the freeway. Or if I'm bored in traffic I often think of tweeting that I'm bored in traffic. But the bottom line is, there are other people on the road with me. Those people are someone's sister, wife, mother, husband, child or friend. As that human being, who is frought with imperfections and yet strives to be a good Christian, I work to try and do things I would want others to do to me - one of which involves shutting up and shutting down my cell phone. Instead I try to listen to the radio, watch for a yellow slugbug or even roll down the window to feel the breeze on my face and by doing so, maybe, just maybe I can save a life.