I’m in the car a lot driving my kids around. It’s become my office. I have snacks and water at all times. I nap in my car. I sometimes even hang out in my garage by myself, checking my email via my phone in my car for a few minutes before going inside. It’s nice and quiet and no one knows I’m home yet so I don’t get interrupted.
I’m not Catholic but giving up my cell phone while driving would have been an easy Lent sacrifice. It’s not that I don’t want to answer my texts or calls; it’s just that I’m not that good of a driver to drive and use my phone at the same time.
Still, I am easily distracted and I need to be more careful:
- Changing radio stations while driving
- Programming my navigation system while driving
- Stopping at yellow lights
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
The National Safety Council wants us all to learn about Distracted Driving Awareness Month and to overcome the temptation to use a phone while driving. For a week (at least), they ask us all to give up the phone while driving.
What if you NEED to use your phone while driving? This is what I do:
- Pull over, stop the car, and then check your phone.
- Ask your child to answer the phone or text and reply back for you. My kids either tell the person that their mom is driving right now and can’t answer the phone. Alternately, they yell out what the person wants and I tell them my reply.
- Just wait until you reach your destination. Chances are it’s not really important.
Take the Pledge Give Up Your Phone While Driving
Will you please join me in taking NSC pledge to drive cell free? Will you post the pledge on Facebook and/or Twitter?
Everyone who takes the pledge in April will be entered into weekly drawings for:
- NSC First Aid, CPR & AED Online course
- Alive at 25 Parent Program Online course
- A backpack full of safety items for kids
- A stuffed animal donated by KidsAndCars.org
Sample post:
I took the National Safety Council pledge to drive cell free because I don’t want to risk my life or anyone else’s.I challenge <Tag Friend>, <Tag Friend> and <Tag Friend> to take the pledge because I can’t imagine life without you! nsc.org/pledge #CallsKill
Sample tweet:
If this doesn’t break the habit then nothing will #callskill https://youtu.be/8UFB7CbYtKA
Thanks so much for sharing!
Provided by The National Safety Council
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Done! I rarely use my phone while driving. The most I do is to answer and say I’ll call them back. But my purse (and cell) are usually in the back seat so I can’t. Today my cell is at home so I really can’t!
Thanks so much for taking the pledge Dee!!
I never use my phone when driving. Took Oprah’s pledge years ago. Was interested in the studies of the brain. I would imagine that listening to music or an audio book, may also be considered a distraction. I do listen to audio books on trips. Excellent post today. Need to share with some loved ones.
Thanks so much for taking the pledge Patricia! I didn’t know Oprah did a pledge drive too! So glad there is more awareness around texting and driving!
I use my phone as a GPS on trips, but that’s it.
Hi MaryAnne,
GPS doesn’t count I feel! Thanks for taking the pledge!