CHANGE YOUR VOICE MAIL, LOWER YOUR STRESS LEVEL

The legislation to bar cell phone use while driving is in the works. Thank-Goodness!

In the last two days I witnessed: i) an 18 or 19 year old young man driving a sedan with the N (new driver decal) on the trunk. He had both hands at the top of the steering wheel while holding his cell phone and texting as he drove past me. ii) Today I witnessed a father with several children in the back seat of an SUV make a left hand turn and then he stopped short to avoid a car which had the right of way. Yes, the father was holding a cell phone to his ear.

This November incorporate these cell phone rules:

1) Take out your cell phone and record your version of the following message. “Hi, thanks for your call. I am either away from my phone or I am driving right now. I will call you back as soon as I am able.” Then, turn off your cell phone every time you get into your car.

2) When you make a call, ask the receiver if s/he is driving – if so, say that you will call him/her back a bit later, even if the receiver says s/he is o’kay to talk.

Think about it. Take responsibility. Committing to these ‘car & cell phone’ rules will lower your stress level while driving, allow you to model responsibility to others and have you contribute to safer roads.

"First comes the experience, then comes the lesson". - anonymous