360DigitalInfluence

 ‘Don’t text and drive, it is equal to having four drinks and driving,’ - Oprah Winfrey.

I’d be lying if I claimed to have never texted, tweeted or posted anything while driving – but Oprah asked me to stop, and when Oprah speaks, people listen, so I’ve pledged to make my car a No Phone Zone. Have you?

For those of us who work within the digital mediascape, being plugged-in 24/7 has become the norm. We’ve adapted to the rushing wave of progress and now we connect and communicate faster, in real-time, with the latest mobile devices via text messaging, emails and social networks, all while on the move. However, there is a responsibility that comes with these new capabilities. It’s one thing to get busted for tweeting during a meeting, but it’s undeniable; texting, tweeting or posting while driving is a risky habit that could end up hurting more than just you. 

Don’t contribute to the perils of progress. Embrace the opportunity that digital and mobile technology creates, but please be responsible. Take the pledge.

• 71 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 49 admit they text or talk on the phone while they drive.
• 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 are killed each year because drivers are talking, texting and e-mailing behind the wheel.
• Most European countries ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, but not all U.S. states have laws restricting texting and driving. So far, 19 states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

Read about the consequences of distracted driving here.