Reflection on Nov. 13th Class

  In class on November 13 we had a presentation on texting and driving, it was quite interesting to talk about this subject because it has recently become a huge issue with teens dying because of texting and driving.

Texting and driving has a huge impact on our lives and it is something that everyone, specifically people in their teens and early twenties should be aware of, because it is so prevalent amongst our generation. Whether we like to admit or not, we are all hooked on our phones, and we have all texted while we were driving at one point or another, it is just an urge that people get. The statistics are there and all of the evidence, but we still continue to do it. Many people have decided to take the pledge to not text and drive because of the personal impact it has had on their lives, and we were also given that option in class. It is very important for people to be aware of their risk factors, I am sure none of our family members want to see us affected by something that could have been easily avoided because we have been exposed to the precautions. I cannot imagine how hard it is on those families who have experienced loss because of texting and driving, and it is amazing to see how many people know friends or family members that were affected by texting and driving, and still continue to do it. The biggest issue with this is that people always think “It will not happen to me” but it CAN happen to everyone. 
This topic is important to public health because you as a driver who is texting are constantly putting others at risk, and other drivers who may also be texting, if you are not, are putting YOU at risk. Many people can be hurt or killed because of someone else's  carelessness and it is important that we raise awareness and try to take action to prevent this from becoming a norm or issue that was not halted.
There are many laws to protect people from texting and driving, and people can get ticketed for even looking at their phone while driving. What surprises me is that not many cellphone companies have taken the responsibility of developing programs and applications that will help stop texting and driving. Some of us have phones, that if you put it in “car mode” it will read the text messages to you and ask you if you want to reply and then you can tell the phone what to reply and therefore you don't have to actually use or look at your phone, but many phone companies are not advertising or promoting these programs. I would like to know if any phone companies are in the process of developing concepts that will one day completely prevent people from texting while driving, and if they will ever realize that is not solely the responsibility of the automotive industries, but also their own. 

Edvina Kuburas
Macy Sirmans

Bianca Beran