It’s been nearly four years since the distracted driving law in Alberta came into effect, and although there continues to be struggles made and accidents caused by dangerous driving, I personally think attitudes and actions are changing.
Over the weekend, I was driving on the highway, with just my four-year-old son in the back seat. I’ll admit, I am one of those people who have to make a conscious decision to keep my cell phone out of sign while driving. My solution is to flip it upside down or throw it in my purse on the seat across from me, just out of reach so the temptation is gone.
But on Saturday, after I pulled off the highway, I went to reach for the phone to look at some directions quickly. I was on a back road, but I wasn’t pulled to a stop. Before my hand even had the chance to grab the phone, a very attentive little voice in the back seat chimed in.
“Mommy, don’t touch your phone.”
And that was it. That was all I needed to keep my hand from reaching further.
Just like it used to be much more commonplace and acceptable to do other habits, such as drinking alcohol and driving or smoking in public places, attitudes are changing when it comes to distracted driving – and it’s starting with the youngest.
My eight-year-old son has done similar things to me. Sometimes even when I pick up my phone as we are parked in a parking lot, he is reminding me that I shouldn’t be using my phone in a vehicle at all. Granted, he is also quick to ask me to pass him things and make other requests that would clearly take my mind off the task at hand.
When the distracted driving law came into effect in 2011, I remember laughing in amazement about some of the reports and habits that drivers exhibited. Applying makeup while driving, eating soup, and even reading a book seemed absurd. Yet, as cell phones became increasingly popular, they also became increasingly dangerous.
There are a lot of bad habits that parents can inadvertently pass on to their children. Setting an example on safe driving is something I do want to communicate to my kids, even if they are still well below driving age. When my four-year-old piped in and reminded me not to touch my phone while driving, I felt a bit of pride.
It meant that the message was getting across, and hopefully, since I have over a decade to continue to push the message, it means that there’s hope that distracted driving will one day be a thing of the past.
