| When talking about driving, the idea of sharing the | | | | New York where drivers are still getting pulled |
| responsibility can mean a number of things. | | | | over and issue fines upwards of $150 for talking |
| Perhaps one of the first things that springs to | | | | on their cell phones without a hands-free device. |
| mind is that of drunk driving or driving where | | | | The most important thing to remember while you |
| there is alcohol and/or drugs involved. In situations | | | | are driving is that it won't last long. Eventually, you |
| where you are out with friends and you know | | | | will get to wherever it is that you need to go. |
| that you are the only sober person there, you | | | | Couldn't the cell phone conversation wait? Now, |
| should be responsible enough to seek out the car | | | | whenever I drive in my car, I take my cell phone |
| keys of whoever it was you came with so that | | | | and put it inside of my purse, which I then place in |
| you can share in the responsibility of getting | | | | the back seat out of reach or into my trunk so |
| everyone home safe. Your friend(s) may feel | | | | that it is out of sight- out of mind. After all, what |
| guilty about their irresponsible behavior, but this is | | | | did we used to do before cell phones even |
| much different than the guilt that you would feel | | | | existed? Could we eventually go back to this |
| over the fact that you had decided not to do | | | | point? |
| anything. | | | | Being responsible also means being a watchful |
| Being responsible also relates to driving when | | | | driver as well as a watchful pedestrian. If you ride |
| talking about yourself and your own good and/or | | | | your bicycle and are an adult, faster cyclists are |
| bad driving habits that you employ while you are | | | | encouraged to ride as close to the curb as |
| behind the wheel of your vehicle. For instance, do | | | | possible in the street with the flow of traffic. |
| you always stop for red lights? Are you guilty of | | | | However, if you are planning on taking a more |
| tailgating or following other vehicles too closely? | | | | leisurely route, stay on the sidewalk. Before you |
| None of us is perfect; and we all have various | | | | put kids in the car, make sure that everyone is |
| driving skills that we could improve upon. Whether | | | | securely buckled up. If you are transporting a |
| these skills have to do less with driving ability and | | | | baby or extremely small child, try to travel with |
| more with driving while distracted, there is always | | | | an adult who can keep an eye on the kids. |
| something. In recent years, for example, many | | | | Otherwise, if you need to, safely pull off of the |
| states have adopted the 'no cell phone while | | | | road so that you can address whatever issue |
| driving' policy that bans drivers from using their | | | | needs to be addressed. These are just some |
| cell phones to text, check email or hold the phone | | | | simple ways and ideas that we can be a little |
| against their ear while they are driving their car. | | | | safer. |
| The most obvious example of this can be seen in | | | | |