Please take a moment...

[Shoeboy23]

I know I tend to be the...well, one of the goof balls in our grand group. I wanted to post this sooner, but didnt wanna bring everyone's PRE-Spring Fest spirits down.

In December my best friend Coop (Chris Cooper) was killed in a car accident in Texas. He and his wife were on their way to visit his sister in the hospital. She was giving birth to her first child. Coop and his wife have a young daughter of their own. Luckily, on this day she was at her grandmother's house.

Please take a few minutes to check out the following 2 links and join me (Thanks to Kristin) in taking "The Pledge". The pledge to no longer drive distracted.

Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to read the short article and watch the video. You will be glad you did.

ON THE SECOND LINK...there is a video. If its not the correct video, you will see that you can go to different pages of videos (right under video) scroll to PG 51 or so. you will see "CS Woman Recounts the Dangers and..." click on that and watch the short piece they did on the news.

Again, thanks for watching and reading.

Through the valley: Honor Chris today - Pledge to never drive distracted again

CS Woman Recounts the Dangers and Devastation of Texting While Driving

[TxTwiStr09]

Tragic consequences happen when we are distracted. I can see that Kristin is working through her grief in a very positive way and she should be commended for her inner strength.

Thanks for bringing us the reminder, Aaron!

[Black Crystal]

What a powerful story. It sickens me to think a law to deter drivers from talking on their cell phones. let alone texting doesn't have stiffer penalties. There isn't a moment that goes by when I am driving that I see people speaking on the phones. Is it due to a lack of respect of the law or common sense. Maybe a little of both. I see both young and old, any race abusing the cell phone law. What really irks me is when I see people texting. It can take a split second to look down at your phone, look back up and be faced with the unknown. My heart goes out to bot hfamilies who lost someone so dear to then in this senseless accident

[ChargerGirl]

Even before they started enacting laws against distracted driving I wondered why on earth people did it. Driving requires so much focus, considering how fast things can happen and the fact you can never predict how pedestrians, other drivers, trees, animals, anything is going to act. Very sorry this couple had to find out the hard way.

[MoshMom]

My heart goes out to you and your friend and his family.

I made this vow about a year ago. I was going to work. Was at a 4 way stop sign. I was answering a text when I started to go. I relealize there were cars at all corner but werent moving. I thought they were waiting for me. As I start to go I see out of the corner of my right eye, a KID (7 yrs or so) stepping out in front of me to cross the street. My heart stopped. I was soo mad at my self for not seeing him because I was sending a text. From that day forward I do not do that while I am driving. I do however send a quick one while sitting as a stop light. but I will never do that while I am rolling down the road.

[GO-SRT-GO]

Freeway may be different, but driving around town it is all to easy to pull over and make that quick text or phone call. If on the freeway, ask yourself "can it wait?". We got by before cell phones.

[Shoeboy23]

there is a shoulder on EVERY freeway i've ever been on.

[J.Well]

Wow. Tragic story. I punched myself in the face (mentally) when I started having to drive around the two little ones. I realized a text or phone call is not as important as the kids. Plus when I'm by myself it gives me "alone" time to just relax and drive without being bothered. If I do have to answer it I have pulled off the freeway numerous times. Which by the way I found out you can get a ticket for in certain areas on 80.