Sharon Schreiber: Put an End to Texts that Kill

"We can do everything else … why can't we create a technology that will stop people from texting while driving? We must strive to foster a culture in which people no longer believe it’s okay to text while driving. It is imperative we reach our youth with this urgent message, through real life stories about the dire consequences of texting while driving."

These were the sentiments expressed to Dr. Eric Bartel, a foot-and-ankle surgeon at Fox Valley Orthopedics (FVO), and Sgt. Craig Campbell from the Kane County Sherriff’s Office during a lively discussion after their Decide to Drive Campaign presentation to the Tri-City Exchange Club this week.

The Decide to Drive Exchange Club presentation began with a moving video featuring a couple whose son was killed at the hands of a young teen who was texting while driving; the couple’s son was hit by the teen’s car while he was riding his bike. 

While the campaign focuses on all distractions—talking on cell phones, eating in the car, putting on makeup, and reaching for toys, to name just a few—texting is by far the most disturbing. You are 23 times more likely to be involved in a traffic crash while texting and driving than you would be otherwise.

The Last Text http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs is a powerful video about just that … the final texts received by, or sent from, drivers who ended up dead as a result. While it’s a difficult video to watch, the message is clear: the text messages that killed these people were totally pointless, as many text messages are – “lol,” “yeah,” “where r u?”

In one of the accidents profiled, a teenaged girl scheduled to graduate the following day is killed while driving as a result of an unnecessary (yet deadly) text message. Part of what makes the video so poignant is the raw emotion displayed by the police officer called to the scene. His emotional recollection of that sad day enforces the point that these untimely deaths affect everyone in the community, not just the families of those who are killed, but the lives of everyone involved.

We all have to cope with a death at some point in our lives, but when it’s someone so young, and the cause is something as pointless as an “lol” text message, it’s really tough to take.

The most important thing we can do to prevent further tragedies like this one is to participate in raising awareness of the issue, and educate people on the often fatal consequences of distracted driving. Every time we get behind the wheel, let’s all Decide to Drive. Here is a quick checklist:

• Decide to drive—consciously make a decision each and every time you get behind the wheel.
• Prepare to drive before you start your car—adjust all controls, mirror, maps or navigation systems, entertainment or snacks while still in "park."
• Take a minute when you get in the car to clear your head.
• Don't take silly risks. Driving is not the time to groom, apply makeup, or change clothing.
• Do not ever dial phone numbers on a cell phone, send or read text messages or emails while driving.
• When in the car, set up a "driving" profile on your mobile device.
• To listen to the radio, use the volume and station buttons on the steering wheel, if available.
• And if a distraction comes up while driving, pull your vehicle over and then manage it. 

As a community member and a mother of two teenaged boys enrolled in driving school, I encourage you to learn more about the Decide to Drive Campaign by going to www.decidetodrive.org.

If you are interested in having Dr. Bartel and Sgt. Campbell speak at your school, church, or community organization, let me know. I'm providing public relations assistance with this local campaign. Also, you are welcome to contact Mary O'Brien, CEO at FVO at 630-584-1400, to become a collaborative partner with this campaign.

Fox Valley Orthopedics is gearing up for the upcoming school year with the creation of Decide to Drive curriculum geared toward 5th and 6th graders, and a print public service poster design contest. I will bring you up-to-date as the summer winds to a close. Working together, I know we can make a huge difference in this community, and bring awareness to the deadly consequences of distracted driving.

ABOUT DECIDE TO DRIVE

Since orthopedic surgeons are the ones who provide healing for many survivors of traumatic motor vehicle injuries, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA), and the Auto Alliance launched the Decide to Drive Campaign in April 2011. This initiative urges people to decide to drive each and every time they get behind the wheel. Clearly awareness is key; the astonishing results of a recent AAOS study showed that eighty-three percent of more than 1500 American drivers surveyed claimed that it is others, not them, who are responsible for the rash of distracted driving accidents, even though many admitted to being a distracted driver. For more information, go to www.decidetodrive.org.

ABOUT FOX VALLEY ORTHOPEDICS (FVO)

Fox Valley Orthopedics was founded in 1973 in Geneva, Illinois for the purpose of providing exceptional comprehensive orthopedic care that puts patients first. Dedicated to the community, FVO is committed  to educating patients and the general public on how even simple distractions behind the wheel can have life-altering consequences; distractions are a serious threat to the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. FVO is developing community partnerships in order to bring awareness to distracted driving at a grassroots level. For more information, go to www.fvortho.com.