I know I'm not the only one guilty of using time in the car driving as 'down' time. It seems like a great opportunity to catch up on phone calls because, all of a sudden, we're not busy. Hmm... there's something wrong with that logic. We are busy. Very busy in fact. Busy driving. Busy keeping ourselves and those around us safe from the damage that can come from distraction on the road.
Sometimes I shock myself by how easily I will make a call (hands free of course) while driving. I'll even check my messages at a red light. But every time I do that, my mind shifts from what it should be doing - driving. And even though I might think I can do both things at once - talk and drive or check a text and then let it go until I have a chance to deal with it later - the truth is that my attention has been diverted and confused. I'm not as present as I could be (to either thing).
Just because I've been driving for over a decade doesn't mean I'm immune to making stupid decisions, not seeing an oncoming vehicle or a red light. I'm no superwoman. I'm not shielded from danger by some invisible energy field. When I look into the rear view mirror I'm reminded that it's not only my own safety I'm in charge of - it's that of my son in the back seat (and, now, the baby in my belly), too.
So, this week, I'm turning off my Bluetooth, I'm putting my phone out of sight, and I'm focusing on driving.
In the words of my son: "Beep, Beep!".
Especially love that last sentence!
ReplyDeleteI now have my phone on silent while I drive and so there is nothing to tempt me to look at it!
I really love driving in my car, just simply driving and in no rush, with my 2 children in the backseat....we have some wonderful conversations as we drive, and nothing else to distract us (except the traffic anyway!) Karen
Thanks so much for sharing, Karen! A silent phone in the car certainly helps to take the temptation away!
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