Texting Down a Bad Road

“Back in my day, we didn’t have cell phones.” I know I’m not the only one who has heard this same spiel from my grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, and teachers. Of course, I have my comebacks and witty replies. However, believe it or not, there is logic to this saying.

“This is just a different generation,” some say, “with different needs.” Since when has texting been a need? It sure seems like a need, considering some teens (including me) text while they eat, talk, run, walk, sit, wait, play, work, test. Some students are risky enough to text while they drive. That’s where I draw the line. Texting is dangerous, especially while driving, and although we have been told countless times about the dangers of texting, we still fail to realize what makes it so hazardous.

Theoretically speaking, if I were a teen who texted while driving, my life and the lives of my family would immediately be put in jeopardy. For example, let’s just say my friend Gerti is throwing a sweet-sixteen at her house Saturday, and everyone’s going to be there. I’m invited! Her house is just minutes away.

Hopping in my car, I notice that I will be a few minutes late to Gerti’s, so I whip out my phone and open up a new, blank text document. As soon as I text in the casual “hey” I hit a tree and bam! I’m dead. True story.

Sure I laugh and poke fun about the dangers of texting while driving, but I really shouldn’t. If I were to pull a survey of Noblesville’s students asking whether or not they text while driving to and from school, the numbers would be outrageous. I don’t even need to mention those dozens of students who wouldn’t answer due to their guilt.

Not many students can recall the last time there has been a texting-while-driving accident at our school. Honestly, I can’t, but the longer we wait, the more we will be shocked when it actually comes.

Thousands of teen deaths occur each year from texting and driving. Students have been told this an innumerable amount of times, and yes, I admit it is getting very annoying. However, it’s true. This is not a fantasy land. We aren’t living in a television. These things really do happen.

What if a teen from Noblesville High School suffered an accident like this? Think of his or her family. Lastly, what about the person that this teenager was texting? Can one even envision the amount of pain and guilt he or she would feel afterwards? Don’t text while driving. The consequences will come, I guarantee it.

Safe Winter Driving Tips

The winter season has arrived, and with it comes the dangerous road conditions that students must face every morning and afternoon as they make their way to and from school.  Those students choosing to drive need to be aware of the potential dangers, and prepared for the worst.  Preventative measures are crucial to avoid finding oneself in a bad situation on the roads.  The Mill Stream has compiled a list of winter driving tips from weather.com and cartalk.com to keep students safe on the streets this winter.

1. Check Anti-Freeze: Flush your cooling system every two years.  Cooling system failure is the number one cause of engine- related breakdowns.
2. Check Tire Tread Depth: Put a penny between the threads of your tires.  If you can see the top of Lincoln’s hair, you should replace your tire.
3. Prepare a Winter Emergency Kit: Include blankets, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, a first aid kit, jumper cables, flares, and a small snow shovel.
4. Keep a Full Gas Tank: You never know when you may become stranded in a snowstorm.
5. Have the Brakes Checked: If you haven’t had them checked in the last six months, you need to get them checked
6. Replace Windshield Wiper Blades Twice a Year: Fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze resistant wiper fluid
7. Check Spare Tire: Make sure it has proper tread and pressure and that you have all of the needed tire-changing materials.
8. Plan Travel and Check Weather Reports to Avoid Storms
9. Try not to Travel Alone in Unfamiliar Places
10. Let Someone Know your Timetable and Where you are Going