Texting while driving.  We know it’s dangerous, but how many of us do it anyway?  As the saying goes – “Denial: it ain’t just a river in Egypt.”  Good people – caring people – conscientious people – all types of people do it, perhaps justifying it by telling themselves that they don’t really do it all that often, or that they really are able to pay attention to the road while doing it.  Ever hear someone say they actually drive a little better after a couple of drinks?  Well, maybe not since college, but that same stupid rationalization applies. 

This thinking is especially dangerous when the road-going “texter” – multi-tasking through the countless errands that are a part of suburban life – is the parent of a teen driver.  Like it or not, those parents are a role model for driving behavior, and even young, non-driving teens are watching their parents like a hawk.  They notice everything their parents do behind the wheel – when they speed, when driving frustration gives in to a little profanity or a rude gesture, and yes – when they text behind the wheel. 

According to Bill Margaretta, President of the New Jersey Safety Council, every ten minutes a teenager crashes in New Jersey, and every week a New Jersey teen dies in an auto crash.  Nationwide, an average of 6,000 teens die and approximately 300,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year.  And distracted driving – including texting – is a large contributor to those crashes.    

Thank goodness we didn’t have texting back when I was a teen driver – I got into enough trouble in my ‘67 Ford Mustang with just the usual distractions.  Whether you are a parent with a teenager watching your every driving move, or whether you’re one of those drivers sitting at a green light as you tap away, it’s time to rethink this texting and driving thing.  Are you guilty?  Will you admit it?  And if so, will you join me in pledging to not do it, even a little bit?