Roadside Chat - Words can do harm. Phone down. Enjoy the silence.
When you’re behind the wheel, words on your phone screen are very unnecessary. The fear of missing out on information can be controlled while you are driving but it’s up to you to make the conscious decision to put your phone down. Value your life and the lives of those on the road above what may be said over a text message or social media post.
Here are a few suggestions.
- Turn off your phone’s audible notifications and put the device away and out of sight in the glove box or inside the center console.
- Use your phone’s option to turn off notifications while you are driving. Most phones have a setting that will text back to let people know that you’re driving and will respond when you reach a safe location.
- Have a passenger monitor and respond to your incoming communications.
When you are behind the wheel, you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and those on the road with you to do everything you can to be as safe as possible. It might seem difficult, but you can do it.
For the Depeche Mode fans out there - https://youtu.be/aGSKrC7dGcY
So far this year in Iowa, 122 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of nine since last Friday. In Iowa in 2022, there were 338 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf