The kids and I were on an adventure last summer. We were headed to Manitoulin Island to see my friend Christine. After a long drive from Clifford we finally pulled into the holding area for the cars waiting to get on the Ferry.
The kids immediately jumped out of the car and ran towards the wharf to feed the ducks and watch the boats. Just as I closed my car door, the car behind me bumped into the back of my car. Thankfully, that car was going 10 km s or less, when it hit my car. I was even more thankful, that my children were not standing behind my car as the driver of the car, who was checking his text messages, would not have seen my children standing behind my vehicle. We checked out the minimal damage, just a scratch really and everyone seemed fine as we walked over to the grocery store to pick up snacks for the boat.
Anything for this girl
Later on as we enjoyed the quiet sailing across Georgian Bay, we entered the on board gift shop. KT, who had earned money helping me clean out the pool, bought some trinkets for herself as the other two picked out their favourite items.
Later on that evening as we settled in for the night, after the two littlest Guthrie’s had fallen asleep, KT said she had questions.
“Mommy you know today, when that car bumped our car?”
Yes, honey…but no one was hurt, everyone is OK.
“I know Mommy, but I wanted to give you this because you drive all the time and I always want you to come home.”
Don’t worry KT, I’ll always come home.
“Mommy, you don’t text and drive ….right?”
No honey, no I don’t.
From my KT
Even though it was a very small bump, it had effected my oldest as she knew what could have happened. I promised myself that I would keep my phone in the middle council of the car when I was driving because it is too much of a distraction for me. I made a promise to my daughter I would come home each night and I intend to keep it.
A simple message
The folks at CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) and other traffic safety partners have come together to launch a six week long education and awareness campaign (July 29 – Sept 12 ). They are urging all drivers to make a promise. It’s simple, go online to caasco.com/focus and promise to your family and friends to focus on the road.
#CAA
A couple of simple facts made my Promise to Focus on the Road an easy one to make:
1. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of collisions and easily one of the most avoidable.
2. Distractions can come from almost anything that makes you look away from the road. A split second is all it takes to dramatically change the rest of your life.
3. Driving requires your full attention. Losing your focus on the road can lead to weaving in an out of your lane, missing a traffic sign and putting yourself, passengers and others at risk.
Are you ready to make the promise to end distracted driving?
PR Mom Ottawa 