Everyone has probably been preached to about wearing their seat belt and also not texting and driving.  Well, add me to the list because I feel it is important to share this message yet again.

Please … before you get in the vehicle and consider not buckling up, think of your family.  If you have children, think of their little faces looking up to you to do what is right.  The same with texting and driving.  I’m sure we’ve all used poor judgement and done it from time to time, but it only takes a split second to run off the road and hit a tree or cross the centerline and hit someone head on.

We’ve seen countless newspaper articles talking of people that lost their lives to these two things.  Working in the field that I’m in, I’ve seen it myself with individuals in their 20s losing their lives due to not wearing their seat belt, texting and driving, or both!

Please … don’t be a statistic.

When you get into your vehicle, the very first thing you should do is buckle up!  Not only is it the law, but it is truly a proven lifesaving device!

When my oldest daughter started driving, I asked her to place her cell phone in the console or the back seat to ensure there was no way she would be tempted to look at her phone when she was behind the wheel.  Now that my youngest daughter has her learner’s permit, I will instill this into her as well.

That text message CAN wait!  The notifications blowing up your phone from Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and any other social media … they are NOT worth risking your life over!

Your family needs you to be here for them.  There are a LOT of memories yet to be made together with them.  Let that be motivation enough to use wisdom here!