THE CAR IS RUNNING...BUT IS THERE ANYBODY BEHIND THE WHEEL?

And it is true! More car accidents among teenagers are caused by text messaging and not paying attention to the road than driving under the influence. However, just because technology is available doesn't mean we have to use it inadequately. It also takes some common sense to utilize this technology in a safety mode.

Not only teenagers are at risk of suffering a terrible accident while trying to drive, talk and text messaging at the same time while driving, a lot of adults do the same thing! Just put your hand over your heart and say: "I have never done such a thing!" It is very rare the driver that is not talking on the cellular phone while going home from work, and I'm sorry to say this but women are the master multi task when is about brushing their hair, apply make-up and turn in a 180 degree position to return the pacifier to the baby's mouth while behind the wheel.

If I could count how many fender-bender occur because of this every year! And what about those talking devices to tell your where to go, where to turn, Lord Have Merci! With so many distractions while driving is amazing we all still alive!

The true is that driving a vehicle requires the same attention as shooting a gun. Operating a vehicle requires your five senses on the road! Not giving 100% of your attention while driving not only jeopardizes your life and your passengers' life but also the other driver's too.

Listening to the radio can be a distraction too if the music is too loud. I see it more often every day, an emergency vehicle trying to come through traffic and some vehicle obstructing its path! What about if one of your love ones was inside of that ambulance? or what about if it was you calling 911 and the police emergency vehicle is stuck in traffic?

Operating a vehicle is a serious business, is not a social event to enjoy music and animated conversation with your friends, is not your bedroom where you can relax while smoking a cigarette, and is not a space ship where you feel powerful and above everyone else. Operating a vehicle is transporting yourself under rules of safety so you (and the other drivers) can go home to your love ones.

If you have a teenager that is about to become one more driver behind the wheel, remember that anyone can pass the driving test and get a driving license but being a conscious driver is not only this, there is another check list you need to complete before facing the traffic:

- Drive defensively not offensively. There are some aggressive drivers out there, the rest are either in prison for vehicular homicide, or in some hospital disabled or even worse... dead. Is it really worth? How much time are you really going to save when you pass (in a "Non passing" zone) that "slow moron" in front of you? Or when you speed in the rain? Sounds familiar? Sure it does! We all do these kind of things some times, especially when we are trying to make to work on time. Leave home early, is safer!

- Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel and you will have 99% more chances to avoid a serious accident.

- If you have to make an important phone call stop on the side of the road and if someone calls you and you, absolutely need to take that call, then use a blue tooth or the speaker on your phone to keep your hands free.

- Keep at least the distance of one vehicle lenght from the vehicle ahead of you if you are jammed in trafick or at least one  lenght for each ten miles of speed, DO NOT TAIL GATE!

- Use your turning lights when switching lanes and do it at least 100 feet before you turn.

- If you are traveling long distances, make sure you get plenty of sleep before you get behind the wheel and do frequent stops to stretch your legs. If you do not have a passenger to help you keeping up with the map, and you have to do it yourself, stop in a gas station or rest area, DO NOT do it while you are driving.

Remember, your kids will do whatever they see you do and if you do not make them aware of the risks they won't do the effort to find out. Driving a vehicle is a privilege but it can turn into a real nightmare in just the blink of an eye!