I have always fought against people who stereotype teenagers and “younger kids” by saying that they are the only people texting and driving.
After working in fast food for five years, I have seen more adults than I thought possible texting, checking Facebook and uploading pictures – all while driving.
Every year, there are at least five middle-aged women who forget their drinks in the drive-thru because they are busy goofing off on their phones.
Therefore, I resent that stereotype.
Yet this weekend, I witnessed a prime example of someone actually giving support to the stereotype.
This girl – yes, girl – was stopped at the stoplight I was approaching. I had begun to brake when it turned green.
I understand that it takes a moment for stopped cars to accelerate when the light turns green, but this girl just sat there for a good eight seconds.
I ended up coming to a complete stop. She looked in her rear-view mirror and started to move, but as soon as she hit the intersection of the stoplight, she decided to brake check me.
Needless to say, I screamed a ton of bad words and passed her.
Of course, since I was driving on Highway 41, I was met with construction and the crazy girl ended up right behind me.
I watched her repeatedly glance at her crotch area and, unlike most drivers, when the traffic slowly progressed forward, she stayed back – still looking at her crotch.
At one point, she moved forward and didn’t look up. I kept my eyes on her to make sure she didn’t rear-end me.
I hate dealing with the police and want them nowhere near me when I’m driving, but I seriously contemplated calling them on that girl.
I’m not saying I have never texted while driving – I have. But after seeing that display of stupidity, I am making a vow to never text and drive again and I want everyone else to do the same.
If I have a passenger, he or she will text for me, no matter how inappropriate the text may be.
I will only look at my phone at stoplights, and to do just that – look. I will not respond back because most likely, it is not an emergency.
These are little things that make driving on the road safer. I don’t know about you guys, but my insurance is high enough without an accident.
Moral of the story – be safe behind the wheel. Don’t give further justification to the stereotype that all young adults text and drive.