Sunday, February 5, 2012

Texting While Driving....Equals



2009 Volkswagen Jetta before texting





2009 Volkswagen Jetta after texting
November 16, 2009

If you text or read texts while driving 
PLEASE STOP!!
The photo above is my daughter's auto after being
being hit from behind, while she was sitting still, by a driver texting. 
 The driver never attempted to stop before impact. 
He was busy texting!

2011 Ford Focus before texting
2011 Ford Focus after texting
February 2, 2012


The three photos above are of the auto my son was driving last Thursday night. He was hit by a driver texting. The driver never attempted 
to stop before impact. 
She was busy texting!

Our Family Is Blessed!
While my daughter is alive and reasonably well she still suffers from excruciating
headaches and has developed 
a type of Neuropathy in her neck 
and the back of her head. 
My son is bruised, battered and is having vision problems in one eye. He had to be cut from the vehicle as the car bowed/bent and all doors were jammed. An EMT on her way to work was first upon the scene, summoned help and stayed by his side until he got to the hospital.
Yes, I believe in Angels!
He has been with us weekend and will continue undergoing evaluation in the days and weeks ahead.

We were the lucky ones. Many accidents caused by texting drivers end
in tragic deaths.

"Texting while driving likely caused more than 16,000 road fatalities between 2002 and 2007, a new study finds."
The study, which public safety officials say is yet yet another wake-up call about the dangers of cellphone use in automobiles, was released Thursday by the American Journal of Public Health. It comes on the heels of the US Department of Transportation’s second annual Distracted Driving Summit, during which Secretary Ray LaHood called for even more action to combat what he called a “unsafe, irresponsible, [and] devastating” behavior.
Distracted driving, Mr. LaHood said at this week’s conference, “is an epidemic. It’s an epidemic because everyone has a cellphone – and everyone thinks they can use it while driving. They can’t.”http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0923/Texting-caused-total-distracted-driving-deaths-to-rise-study-finds

Please share this post with everyone 
in your household who drives.
Ask them to take a 
"Family Pledge"
that they will
 NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING!

NEXT TIME IT COULD BE
YOUR LOVED ONE!
Please remember my son Robby in your prayers.
I am sharing here:
While we are all trying to figure out what is going to happen with our non-blogger followers when GFC closes, I hope you will elect to click on one of the different options on my sidebar. I can be followed by GFC, Linky, Networkblogs, Facebook and Email. Your friendship is important and I want to keep in tough. Blessings, Ginger



46 comments:

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

How scary! Two children hit by texters! I was just popping by to thank you for stopping by my table this week. Thanks for posting this....I hope perhaps it will give some second thoughts to those who drive so dangerously.

Diane said...

What scary pictures and an even scarier experience both your children suffered. I will pray for your son. Diane

Debbiedoos said...

OH Good Lord that is so scary. Thank God they are OK Ginger. I remind my kids all the time. They are very aware of others texting and in fact have warned me to get over to another lane. They say MOM move over there is a texter. I think it HORRIBLE and something needs to be done about it.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I am so glad you posted this. I cannot stand to see folks texting or even chatting away on their phones while driving. All this new technology is going to kill us. So glad your son is o.k.

Barbara F. said...

Oh Ginger, thank God they are OK. I rarely use my cell and never text. But I worry about other drivers that do, and crazy as it is, usually walk away unscathed. They need to come up with device that will cause the texting driver to stop. xo

NanaDiana said...

OMGOSH! I am sending up a prayer for Robby right now. How horrible. It is illegal here to drive and text and they are vigilant about watching for it. I am so sorry that this happened to two of your family members. God was watching over them! xo Diana

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

There should be strict laws in every state with regard to cell phones and texting..In NC they passed a law with regard to "distracted driving"..I know of someone recently that received a ticket for eating french fries while driving. I know this sounds ludicrous, but obviously they were not paying attention to the road while eating! Prayers to your family!..

Pat M said...

Oh, how ugly! They were both so fortunate, and I firmly believe God had His hands all over this! Did the other driver(s) stop? Were they hurt, too? Are they remorseful? I certainly hope laws are passed and people get the message! I shared the post and would even post it on my blog if you'd like~ In fact you still are on it, you could post it yourself if you want to share with my followers. Just a thought!
Hugs & prayers,
GraceinAZ

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Oh Ginger thank God your son and daughter are ok!! I'll be keeping Robby in my prayers. Keep us posted!

Honey at 2805 said...

Both of your children are in my thoughts and prayers.

How horrible that they both have been in similar accidents caused by careless drivers texting without regard for others.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

You have my prayers! I'm probably the only person in the world that does not text or get texts.. Here in Florida, there is a law to be voted on this week to ban texting. Oh, what a weekend you have had, 2 kids both hit by texting drivers, it makes me think that accidents with texting are more common than we are aware of! Keep us posted!

Carol

ellen b. said...

Oh my. I always change lanes when I see someone texting behind me or in front of me. I will pray for your son Robby right now.

Jill Harrison said...

a timely reminder for everyone - how life can change in an instant.
I wish your family, son and daughter all the very best. Yes an angle must surely be looking after you all.
Take cre.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,

This is awful; two of your children having been in an accident because of someone being ignorant and texting.
One never knows what is around us in traffic. My heart and prayers go out for your son Robby, as well as my brother Harry. A horse crossing the highway is awful too. One cannot prepare for anything like that. He has had problems with his lungs since he had his surgery on Thursday... still in ICU.
Love to you sweet neighbor,

Mariette

Maggie said...

Ginger, this is terrible I cannot believe that both of the drivers who caused these accidents did not stop. I hope that they have both been tracked down and been penalised/punished!
Sending best wishes to your son & daughter, I hope that they recover from their injuries soon.

Mary said...

I am so glad you shared your story at Mosaic Monday. It is such an important topic! How awful that you have TWO children affected! I hope they are both on the road to recovery soon. xoxo

Suzy said...

Thank you, Lord, for guardian angels. Your son, you and Bob continue to be in my prayers. Suzy

Debbie said...

HUGE HUGE issue to me since I have a husband who is on the road so much of the time.

I'm thanking God with you that it wasn't worse in both accidents, and I will lift your son for complete recovery. I'm sorry about your daughter and the lingering injury. That makes me sad AND mad.

Creations By Cindy said...

Ginger, I am praising the Lord with you that your children are alive!!!! Oh my! How frightening! Mercy, I can't hardly talk on a cell phone while driving much less anything else! I will pass this on for sure. Praying for your family. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Pondside said...

Thank God, your children will recover, but I am so sorry to read about all the terrible after effects. Any use of a hand-held device while driving is illegal up here, but there will always be law-breakers who endanger everyone else.

Unknown said...

I shared the story on My Life.'s face book page. Hope things improve. Donna

Miss Merry said...

Oh Ginger, how scared you must have been. I am so glad your children are still with you. I am praying for their continued recovery.

In our town a high school boy was texting back and forth with his girlfriend and lost control of his car. He hit a tree going around a curve on a country road on his way to his after school job. The clock in his car stopped at the same moment as her received text was noted on his phone. He was not as lucky as your children. You would think the loss of a classmate would cause other students to quit texting while driving, but it hasn't.

Thank you for your post. If it saves one family from such heartache, it is so worth it. Hopefully many will benefit from your posting.

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

It is illegal here to use a cell phone in the car. You must have a hands free system. It is so scary to see that kind of damage. I do hope they will recover. V

dee dee said...

I'm so sorry to hear that both of your kids were involved in such tragic events. My prayers are with you and your family. I will be sharing this with my children.... thanks for speaking out....
dee dee

annh said...

So sorry tohear your news and glad that you are OK. Here in the UK you can do nothing in your car apart from drive. If you text, make or recieve a call, eat or drink whilst driving you are banned from driving for a year and can have your car taken away and crushed. Of course it goes on as some people think they will never be caught. Last year a whole family was killed on the Motorway by a lorry driver who was texting - he drove straight over the top of the car. Perhaps we should have a slogan/poster in our cars to warn drivers of this danger.

Hope you have a happier week.

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

What scary pictures. I am so sorry. Thinking of you all!

Alycia Nichols said...

Jiminy Christmas!!!! I am SO sorry to see and hear about this, Ginger! I most definitely hope that both of your kids make full recoveries soon! I don't even have a texting feature on my phone. I know I would be tempted, to the best solution for me is just not to have it! People who do text should do so responsibly. That goes for EVERYTHING while driving. There are enough surprise elements out there on the road to distract a person without adding to it!

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Oh My word!!! How awful...
Glad that all are going to be OK... I like what AnnH said, get caught & don't drive for a year.
What can be so important that you can't pull over to text or call?
Will pray for your daughter & son...

cherry said...

So thankful your son and your daughter are OK sending prayers that your son has full recovery. What wonderful angels your family has watching over them.. did this happen here in town?
hugs, Cherry

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Soooo scary. Thank God your children are okay, although I know they still have healing to do. Those pictures are amazing. Surely an angel was watching out for them.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh such a worth while message. I hope everyone sees it and passes the message along to their children and their families. God Blessed you that your children are alive. I hope their injuries can be healed. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, marty

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I never text or call when I'm driving but my son? I have asked him to not text when he drives but I don't know if he listens (he's 31) I'm going to show him your post the next time he's here!!!

Thanks,
Rondell

Christine @ sugarandtrash.com said...

Yikes! I often think that I am safe because I don't text and drive myself.....I sometimes forget about all of the other idiots out there causing accidents and hurting other people. Can't believe your family was struck twice.

Helen's Decor said...

Ginger, I know texting scares me very much. No note is that important, that it cannot wait until someone is safely parked. I hope your son recovers well and soon. Prayers for his continued healing. Helen

Tiffany said...

Thanks so much for posting this! & Thank God your children are ok and I pray they heal completely.

Curtains in My Tree said...

Of course I will pray for your family , God spared their lives anyway for a reason.
I don't even have test on my phone as some people can't understand why. Please just call me I want to talk not read a text from you is what I tell my friends
Ginger thanks for sharing this.

And this loosing our followers from Google friend connect is not making me happy. I will follow you how ever I can

Kathleen said...

That is just awful. Thank God they weren't killed. I don't text, and I keep my phone off while driving. It is against the law here, but I wish I had a quarter for every driver I see on the phone, there is NOTHING that important!
Prayers for your kids return to health.

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

OMG, Ginger! I am praying for a complete recovery for both your children. I cannot believe that your family has been struck twice. Just goes to show what a terrible problem this has grown to become.

Farah said...

Oh Ginger what a serious issue you raised it is so scary to see the picture... Your children are in my prayers darling...
It is such a dangerous thing, texting, mobile phones whilr driving... but the culture of of this spread so much in teens specially ...May God bless all of us...

http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
With love
Farah

Beverly said...

Oh my gosh!!! How awful. My prayers are there for you and your family.

Kim@todayismysome-day said...

Oh goodness Ginger! I'm so sorry to read this! I have been guilty at a stop light or two, but this makes me take serious pause. I won't do it again! Prayers for your famly. Hoping to hug you this weekend :)

Kim

Unknown said...

Those photos really put a face on the message and drive the point home. Thank you for sharing that important message with others. It's a shame that it came at a high price for your own children. I'm praying that both of them are able to be healed from their pain.

Hugs and a Happy Valentine Day's wish of goodness to you.
Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute ♥

Tyra Shortino said...

*sigh* It is quite heart-breaking to see a wrecked car. You see that kind of damage in a machine like that and it makes you shudder when thinking of what it can do to the passengers inside. Texting and driving is a completely irresponsible act, and is almost as worse as driving while drunk.

Nonetheless, it makes you feel thankful that your loved ones are still alive. Here's to hoping that they recover!
-Tyra Shortino-

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
I'm so sorry to hear that both of your kids were involved in such tragic events. My prayers are with you and your family!!!
XXOO Diane

LindyLouMac said...

I will never ever understand just how people can be so stupid! Apologies for not calling by to comment very often, time just seems to get swallowed up by real life!

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh I had not read this before - I am so sorry yet so thankful. They need to pass a law - no cell phones while the car is moving! sandie

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