It is a well-known fact that a distracted driver is more likely to end up being a dead driver. Distractions can arise from several sources, but the ones that originate with the driver are the most tragic, because they could have been completely avoided. Texting while driving is a real killer. It divides your attention so that your responses are lengthened and your reflexes are dulled. Often, texting drivers don’t realize how close they are to the car ahead of them. Even worse is when a texting driver hits a pedestrian in a crosswalk because he or she was busy sending some inane message to a friend.
No one knows for sure why some people, primarily teenagers, cannot seem to go five minutes without either making a phone call or texting. Their need to communicate appears almost pathological, a sort of panic mode where silent moments are too scary to face alone. Whatever the reason, many young lives are snuffed out by thoughtless behavior. Parents need to take an active role in managing the driving habits of their teen children, because no one else is going to do it. Discuss with your child the dangers of distracted driving, perhaps showing pictures of mutilated bodies to drive home the point. If a teen tells you that just can’t help themselves, that they have to text while driving, take away their car and send them to counseling. Otherwise, you are facilitator, and the blood will be on your hands.
Unfortunately, deaths will continue to occur from texting while driving. One should think about the proper response when this type of tragedy occurs. Considerate friends and family usually send sympathy flowers to help grieving parents overcome their emotional trauma. Flowers are beautiful and soothing, just the ticket for a parent who has just learned that their teenager killed three pedestrians before losing her own life due to texting while driving. A nice casket spray can show the bereaved that you care. For members of the Christian faith, a cross-shaped spray of white flowers set on a green background makes a very fitting casket arrangement. Standing sprays and wreathes are also very appropriate, and express a higher degree of empathy than just a plain old bouquet of whatever flowers were on sale that day. Florists are compassionate people who can help you pick just the right price point to express the depth of your feelings at such sad occasions. Remember, any decent florist would gladly forego the sale of a sympathy wreath in favor of the survival of a foolish texting driver.