Adventures in Living a Healthy, Juicy Life

by Cheryl Ragsdale

I never know what to say to people who are doing obviously stupid things. By that I mean, obviously stupid in my opinion.  What could be so important that people risk their lives and everyone else’s to text while driving? 

Are they worried that too much time will pass and they’ll miss out on an interesting conversation?  Hello!   You’ll have other conversations!  If you live long enough to get where you’re going, someone else will talk to you.

Are they worried to let time pass between messages because they fear they won’t keep another person’s attention unless they respond – right now!    Be more interesting!

Look, I love tweeting as much as anybody.  Recently, I wrote a post www.thatgirlisfunny.com to help people get up and running on twitter quickly.   But don’t tweet and drive!  

According to Matt Richtel’s recent article on  www.nytimes.com  a recent study showed that 50% of drivers aged 16 – 24 text while behind the wheel of their car. He didn’t mention it, but I think the other 50% were probably texting and didn’t hear the question.  

AAA did a poll with results that showed “many drivers know the risks of texting while driving — and do it anyway.”

Matt’s article cites an 18 month study that video-taped long-haul truck drivers texting while driving.  “In the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spent nearly five seconds looking at their devices — enough time at typical highway speeds to cover more than the length of a football field.”

Whatever happened to CB radios?   “Breaker One-Nine, you gotta smokey on your tail.”  No need to take your eyes off the road.  “10 – 4 back door,” I think that meant thank you.

Someone spent $6 million so that Tom Dingus, director of the Virginia Tech Institute, could tell us, “You should never do this,” (texting while driving). “It should be illegal.”

Tom, I could have saved someone some money if you had just met me for lunch. For the price of a super-size Mickey D’s #2 with a Diet Coke, I could have told you that.

All of us have something – at least one thing – that we do that’s stupid. Here’s mine:  I ignore warning lights in my car. For instance, the tire pressure light came on during a thunderstorm when I was driving back from New York City Thanksgiving weekend. “I wonder what that light means?”

I ignored it until I got to Connecticut. I’m lucky to still be alive! I’ll spare you the details.

Forget trying to change someone else’s stupid habit. What’s something that you do – a potentially life-threatening thing that you do – that you will consider stopping.  When you move, people around you move too. Be the change. Stop the madness!

I, Cheryl Ragsdale, declare that as soon as I notice a warning light in my car, I will pull over and find out what my car is trying to tell me. Even if it makes me late.

What are you willing to declare?  Your new habit might cause someone else to change something that makes their life work better too.

We love your comments! Please share your thoughts with us.

Go public:  Write your declaration in the comment box.

 

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email:  cheryl@thatgirlisfunny.com 

Cheryl Ragsdale enjoys making life fun. Sometimes, mellow pleases her. Usually, grunge works. Mostly, laughing is what’s needed. Whatever your mood, you’ll find something interesting on www.thatgirlisfunny.com

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