in Conclusion

I have done a remarkably terrible job of keeping up this blog/diary/journal, I apologize, dear diary. However, I have made mental notes on my progress with this behavior change.

1. Before, it would have never crossed my mind to keep my phone in the backseat of my car or not within a hand's reach unless I was driving other people. Though I seem to have no concern for my safety and that of others on the road, I do care if I have passengers. However, now I do think twice (or thrice) about whether I'm going to leave my phone in my purse behind me or not. There are several factors that influence this decision.

2. If I'm already having a conversation, particularly with my boyfriend Kelby, I tend to be more inclined to keep the conversation going. I know that I should just put the phone down or tell him I'm about to drive since I know he'd understand completely. Lately though, I've taken the route of simply not responding as that is the nature of texting; you can stop anytime and pick it back up again when you're ready. However, that isn't to say I don't read text messages...I don't write them...just kinda glance at them...

3. As a commuter, I can anticipate when traffic will be bad on 395 South on my way home. If I know it's bad, I usually keep my phone with me in the front seat because the cultural norm for my generation is to have a short attention span. Thus, dead stop traffic makes me reach for my phone. Also bad. A couple times I have had to throw my phone on the seat to fully focus my attention on the road.

4. As if I haven't had enough ways to cheat, I have also taken to picking up my phone at stop lights. It's my reward to myself for not texting while actually driving. There have only been two instances I remember where I was a few seconds late at reacting to a green light because I was into my phone. Again, bad.

5. Some people are easier to ignore than others so there are times when it's really not difficult at all. Today was good! I heard the little buzzer go off and I didn't reach back for it. It's probably because I was too busy singing and didn't want to be bothered.

6. I am capable of not texting or having my phone near me. There are times when I load up my car before a commute or trip and I actively think, "No, I will not bring my phone with me right now. I can be without it. I could get into an accident if I do." To be truthful, I hardly think of the potential for an accident. My level of perceived susceptibility and severity are rather low

In conclusion, I am still wandering around Prochaska's Stages of Change. There are great days when I'm text free and not so great days because I'm enthralled in some conversation that could wait. I am definitely more aware of my phone usage in the car after this semester. My classmates made me very aware that the subjective norm regarding texting is that it's a no-no while driving amongst themselves and any self-respecting citizen of this great country. Oh I am completely aware that texting while driving is looked down upon. I am still struggling with my need to text but I am determined to stop because I know I shouldn't. I know I put myself and the lives of others in danger by texting regardless whether I think it won't happen to me. No message is so important that it can't wait 15, 20, 45 minutes to be answered; if it were, they would call. TEXT CAN WAIT!

LRH

bad week

Since last Saturday, I've been bad. I notice though that when it happens, it's because I'm in the middle of a conversation and then I start driving. Perhaps I'll just tell the person I'm talking to that I'm about to drive and will respond later. Another problem that's popped up is me using my phone though not specifically texting. This would include checking e-mail and talking on gchat. I need to also close those apps before I start driving. So here I am in preparation on my way to get into action again.

Hi!

First thing, I'm no longer going to label my posts by day because let's face it, that's just a little too hard for me to keep track of. Okay, onto the entry...

Yesterday I relapsed. I was at a stop light checking a text message from my boss. I started to respond and noticed the light turn green. Instead of being a good girl and putting my phone down, I finished the text. After that, I was good and I didn't check the response. I was doing well for the next 20 or so hours (mostly due to the fact that I wasn't in a car) but then today I was blatantly texting while driving. Due to my smartphone, and I'm sure they do this intentionally, it's difficult to compose messages, especially so whilst driving. Noticing that my text message was not coming out as planned, I tried dictating to the microphone to type it for me. This also proved to be a failure and I abandoned it until the next stop light. I'm trying but some texts/notifications are easier to ignore than others.

ttyl (talk to you later)
-Lauren

day six

i was driving home this evening my mom called to ask if i was on my way home. after the calling i noticed a text from my boyfriend. i read it (probably shouldn't have) but didn't respond. This seems like progress to me, I'm proud of myself.

Days 4 and 5

I've been running around all weekend that I'm actually too tired to text while driving. However, I've been toying with the text while stopped idea and it's proving to be a little dangerous as I drive stick. Oh...did I fail to mention that I've been a text-while-driving-a-manual-car person since high school? Texting while driving an automatic is so much easier and presumably less dangerous since you don't have to do as much. I don't do many crazy things in my life, this is me living on the edge. I digress...

Anyway, so the dangerous part comes more from the anger I feel radiating from the drivers behind me if I fail to put the car in gear before I press the gas to go when the light turns green. NOVA drivers have a trace amount of tolerance for not moving 0.5 seconds after a light turns green. They just might get so upset that they get out of the car and injure my person.

Day 3

Didn't text at all in the car today! I can be stopped!

Day 2...trouble begins

7am - What if I use my phone only when I'm stopped at a traffic light? That can't be so bad right? No one was texting me at 7am but I did have to make my move on the mobile game called Words with Friends. I know that's not a very good reason but, that's what happened.

10:30am (lost in NOVA) - Panic. I am lost because the roads have changed since I last drove in this area. I was supposed to meet with a volunteer coordinator at 10:15am but I'm lost. I used my phone's GPS feature to get me back on track. I might have received a text during that time...and I may have answered.

4:00pm - Had to text my boyfriend that I arrived at his dorm so he could meet me at my car. I suppose I could just wait until I actually get to his dorm instead of texting him in advance so I don't have to wait as long. Safety is important, I know.