• 27
  • August
    2011

It's not just happening in Alabama; it is happening all around the country and putting lives at risk every day. Simply put: conversations can wait until after people are done driving. Don't text and drive. In fact, it is best not to even talk on a cell phone while driving. Distracted driving cost a mother her life and the life of her 10-month-old baby boy in car accident.

The Alabama mother was driving on Thursday night, reportedly carrying on a texting conversation while driving. She reportedly veered her car into the wrong lane and hit a dump truck. She didn't survive the crash, and despite responders' attempts to get the baby medical help, professionals could do nothing to save him.

This sort of tragedy is not uncommon these days. Relying on technology does make life easier sometimes, but that has led to many people's bad habits. For the most part, there is little reason to have to send a text or carry on a phone call while driving. It is especially an irresponsible behavior when there are children in the car.

When drivers drive while distracted, they are not just taking a chance and risking their own safety. They are risking the safety of any passengers they have riding with them, other motorists and their passengers and pedestrians, as well. One simple text message can create a domino effect of devastation in the lives of many.

In this recent Alabama crash, a community is mourning the loss of the young mother, 18, and her baby. The driver of the truck hit in the accident suffered only minor injuries, but history shows that the outcome could have been more severe for him.

It is back-to-school season. Therefore, for anyone who is reading this who is either going to be commuting to or from school or perhaps are parents of students, it is important to take the lesson of this recent crash and others like it to heart: Do not text and drive. Put safety above everything else.

Source

Al.com, The Birmingham News: "Texting blamed in Chilton County I-65 deaths of woman, baby," Carol Robinson, Aug. 27, 2011