Teens, no texting while driving

photo courtesy of Ford Driving Skills for Life

I received this from a friend and absolutely had to share it with you:

As parents of young drivers I though you may find this an interesting contrast.

The California method of stopping teenagers from texting while driving seems to be to make it illegal with a fairly mild penalty and then expect them to not do it.

The UK method is to continue a method of road safety advertising that has worked well for the last 15 years: Scare the crap out of them with TV adverts which if they didn’t count as public service broadcasts would never be allowed on TV.

Warning, it is very graphic. But then that’s the whole point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I54mlK0kVw

It certainly is disturbing and quite honestly, I teared up.  It does seem like a great way to show teens a dangerous consequence for something that seems like no big deal (texting while driving).  One thing to keep in mind is that the teenage brain is not yet mature.  The part of the brain that makes decisions based on long-term thinking versus immediate gratification isn’t mature yet.  So, parents be sure to have supportive structures (like turn your phone off before you start the car) in place in the meantime.

For those of you who dared to watch this video, what do you think about it? Do you think it’s an effective tool to deter teens from text driving?

Harmony is my 2009 theme.  Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions I picked a theme to help guide me through my year.  I love my theme so much that I think of it often and whenever I see the word I pause and pay special tribute to it.

The photo above was taken at the Center for Spiritual Living Women’s Retreat I went on a week ago.  I had a beautiful time and it was an amazing experience.

One of the most powerful ways I’ve incorporated harmony into my life is when I’m driving.  You see, it’s really easy for me to road rage.  I know surprising isn’t it?! But, true.  I’m often in a hurry with little to no patience for slow or idiotic drivers.  Lately I’ve been asking myself, “How can I bring harmony to our roadways?” and I do live in a densely populated area.  One of the ways I’ve began to live it is by saying out loud while I’m driving:

I am love.

I am loved.

I am loving.

It has really helped me find harmony in my travel time because it is impossible to road rage when you are full of love and allow it to flow through you.  I know it’s made a difference in my life and I trust that it’s also made a difference in the lives of the people on the road with me.

Please do leave me a comment and let me know what you 2009 theme is and how you are living it.