I may have mentioned a time or two before that I want an iPhone.
I have a cell phone – a low-end, bare bones model that I chose because it has a QWERTY keypad, but which is only slightly more web-friendly than my previous model. I can check my Gmail, and I have limited ability to interact on Twitter. That’s it – and sometimes it’s not enough.
When everyone else around me is fully engaged with social media tools, that’s when iPhone envy really starts to tug. It feels somewhat antisocial to sit with a group of friends all tapping away on their touch screens, but I lamely pull out my phone and busy myself where I can. It’s better than lighting a cigarette, I suppose.
When I’m sitting on the pool deck at CJ’s lessons or on the sidelines of the soccer field during Tacy’s games, it’s easier to bear my iPhone envy. I remind myself that my work will wait – that I’m there to support my children, and they deserve my full attention.
Another activity that deserves my full attention is driving.
My kids are accustomed to being told “I can’t get your sippy cup now; I’m driving” or “I’ll look at the picture you drew at school as soon as we get home; right now, I’m concentrating on the road”. They know that I won’t be swayed by whining and pleading. They know that they’ll just have to wait.
Much as I covet an iPhone, my clunky old cell phone has helped me set a good example for my kids where it comes to my driving habits. Texting is an unwieldy process even when I’m not behind the wheel, and logging onto Gmail is a complete no-go. So I don’t do it.
I understand that driver’s ed classes now discuss the dangers of texting while driving; one of our babysitters emphatically announced, unbidden: “I will never text and drive. I’ve seen what can happen.” But just like wearing seat belts – which my family never did until the federal law was passed – I want to model safe behavior now where it comes to texting. Then when my own children are learning to drive, good habits like buckling up and ignoring the notification of an incoming text message will be second nature to them.
It seems I’m not the only one with these goals. Cooper Munroe and Emily McKhann of The Motherhood have launched a new initiative – Mom Sends the Msg – aimed at reducing distracted driving. The US Department of Transportation held a Distracted Driving Summit last week to discuss means of combating distracted driving. The issue has received recent coverage in US News and World Report and the New York Times. Clearly, distracted driving is a topic on the minds of many.
We think we can do more than we really can, and we think we’re obligated to do more – like answer calls and return texts immediately – than we really are. We’re afraid that we’ll miss something if we put aside our virtual connections, but what we’re really missing are the personal connections right in front of us.
I still want an iPhone, of course. But when I do finally get one, I still won’t text or surf while driving.
Do you text while driving? (Be honest.) Are you willing to stop?
Awesome of you to share Julie. -Christine
Thank you, this is a FANTASTIC post. I especially love: “We think we can do more than we really can, and we think we’re obligated to do more – like answer calls and return texts immediately – than we really are. We’re afraid that we’ll miss something if we put aside our virtual connections, but what we’re really missing are the personal connections right in front of us.” Isn’t that so true? What if we used the car as a time to totally unplug and actually connect with the people in the back seat? Awesome, I love it.
Never (even though I totally could–I have a Blackberry). It drives me batshit crazy to see someone looking at their phone as they blithely cross the double yellow lines.
Not only do I not text while driving, I don’t text at all! I know! I’m a dinosaur.
I barely text when I’m not driving.
The first time I heard of people TEXTING while driving, I was as incredulous as if someone had told me that people were typing and surfing the internet while driving…OH WAIT.
It reminds me of that episode of The Simpsons where Homer is, like, deep-frying doughnuts while driving.
I’m like magpie. My phone is so old and lame I can’t bear to send a text when I’m sitting stock still. But putting on lipstick? and eating? totally guilty. Need to work on that.
You said “It feels somewhat antisocial to sit with a group of friends all tapping away on their touch screens”….I think that is a pretty sad commentary on current social mores. It makes me wonder what the world will be like when my 10-month-old is a teenager-will she even have IRL friends? Or will her entire social circle be comprised of cell phone numbers and screen names?
Great post yet again, and I love the ladies from the Motherhood.
As you know, I am an iPhone devotee, and I will admit I probably blur the lines a bit because if the way the iPhone works. One thing I Di that need to stop
doing is looking at texts when the come in because they are boldly displayed on the screen. Another thing I do that I should curb but I realy don’t feel that bad about, is I will fire off a word or two at stop lights like “almost home” to Bryan. But that is at a dead stop, kwim? I do not, EVER, text while in the motion of driving.
Ha. Notice all the typos from commenting on my iPhone. But I promise I was not driving.
I’m not a serial texter or tweeter while driving but I have done it. And I do flip through my emails. I think it has a lot to do with having a smart phone (iPhone user here).
I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now, and this iniative just gave me that one last reason to push me over to stop.
I have been known to chat on my phone in the car because it’s the only time I’m not wrangling kids.
However, I’m quitting. I admit. It’s been hard. But like Julie said, I’m definitely trying to reconnect with the three sitting, er, yelling in the backseat.
I almost rear ended a minivan yesterday while texting. I looked in the rearview mirror to see a scooter swerve to avoid hitting me. It scared the ever living CRAP out of me. Never again. This only enforces it. Thank you.
Robin – thanks for your honesty. Stories like yours serve as a cautionary tale for others, so I really appreciate that you shared it. Go take that pledge!
I don’t text at all, but because we’ve got such strict laws against cell phone usage while driving on base or on Okinawa itself, I don’t even talk while driving. Though truth be told, I only ever call my husband anyway. (I have a 25-minute-a-month plan… can you imagine?)
I didn’t text when we were stateside, either, though. I would love to get an iPhone when we get back, but think I probably won’t because I don’t need another distraction in my life, period. I don’t need to put my life on hold in order to “network”.
I’m with Magpie. I can’t even remember the last time I sent a text message. Maybe four or five months ago? At least?
I don’t text or talk on the phone at all while driving. If I think it might be important, (or if the call is coming from family), I exit the freeway or pull over and answer. Otherwise, whatever it is just waits until I reach my destination. I don’t care if that’s ten minutes away or three hours away; it’s much more important to me that my fellow drivers and I all get where we’re going in one piece.
I never text while driving, I’m one of those uncoordinated types who can barely even talk while driving, even with a hands-free device. Also, walking and chewing gum…
I’ll sometimes check a text coming in when I’m stopped at a traffic light, but that’s as far as it goes.
Ugh. Have to admit I’ve done it. At a red light only, but I am pretty sure that’s still a big no-no. And I talk on the phone (rarely, usually if lost, lol) but at least I have hands-free and I’m far more likely to ignore the person on the other end than the road!