GET OFF the PHONE and DRIVE

I was flabbergasted when I read this article about several organizations giving away free Bluetooth handsets or a reward of $20 discounts on Jawbone headsets to hands-free law offenders! why!? What kind of society have we become? I hope no one takes this against me, but I just hate, no loathe drivers who yaks on their phones at no end, in the highways and major roads no less! And, I do have a valid reason for feeling this way...

A year and 7 months ago, we figured in an accident in the highway (I-485) at the busiest time of the night. A car slammed on us and rear-ended our car. It totally freaked me out because my daughter who was 3 years old at that time was sleeping in the backseat ( if you must know I get emotional about this. I was so traumatized, I'm still trying to get over the fear of being in the highway). To make the experience scarier, a 15-wheeler truck almost side-swept all of us, when the driver ,who obviously is not paying attention either, braked too quickly to avoid us and a car infront of him, making his truck skid and weave like a snake, literally slipping on the road with the rest of its' body half folded and too close to us for comfort! Smell of burnt tire and wrecked car permeated the air like forever! I was trembling like crazy holding my baby in the shoulder of a dimly lit highway. I was numbed with fear. The state patrol wasn't a help either, they came after almost an hour! Luckily, no one suffered major injuries. I did have a bad whiplash on the neck as a result. Still gives me a shiver to this day!

As it turns out the guy who rear-ended us was yakking on his phone and wasn't paying attention! These type of drivers are deadly and hazardous - not just to themselves but to others! I could never count the times, either I got cut off or almost collided with another car because these drivers are so engrossed blabbing on their cellphones! I say, Cellphone usage should be banned entirely when driving! Now you know why I am so against drivers who yaks on their phone while driving.

Then like putting salt on a fresh wound, some companies are patronizing and condoning these offenders for their bad deeds by rewarding them with goodies. Lovely! Doesn't that just makes you mad?! Ok, don't want additional wrinkles on my face...ommm...

To say the least, we should strive to make the roads safer for our kids and ourselves. Let it begin with us parents... Don't you agree?All I can say is DON'T TALK and DRIVE!

Photo : My daily commuting mantra as seen on my bumper sticker