Don't text and Drive and Cell Phone Use Etiquette

I'm the first to admit the importance of cell phones. Other than when it's being charged and I'm taking a shower, in the bathroom etc I'm never more than a few feet from my phone. But there is many instances when cell phone usage can be considered rude, disrespectful or dangerous.

During Class a cell phone should be off or on vibrate and put away off the desk. You can always check for missed calls or messages between classes or on breaks. Some schools forbid cell phones during school hours.

At Church-  Your phone should be on silent or vibrate. Your there to worship God not to check your email, Facebook, Twitter or Text.

At Work- The phone should be off or on vibrate. In your pocket or purse.  Some employers frown on phone usage during company time unless it's business related.

At theatres.

Funeral Homes it's rude and disrespectful to text, surf the internet or receive calls during a viewing or funeral. Turn the phone off. In December 2011 someone was checking text within 10 feet of my Stepmother's body. I calmly asked them to turn the phone off. I stated it was disrespectful to my Stepmother and to the family.

Driving- Talking or texting on the Phone impairs your driving. You become less aware of your own driving and those around you. If you cause an accident while texting in some states you can be charged with a crime. Deleting text messages you sent or received during the accident does not declare your innocence. Each text message is time stamped when its sent/ received on your billing record. If the accident results in a fatality this record can be obtained with a court order.

I worked for a major telecommunication company after college and there is a record of usage on each device. Every call made or received is timestamped. Every text sent or received is timestamped. We could not see the content of the text but could tell you when a text was sent or received and from / to which number.

Parents if your child is a new driver or suspect your child is using the phone while operating a motor vehicle talk to them about the importance of pulling over to make or receive calls. Talk to them about driver safety before it's too late. In order to instill this lesson its important as a parent to not use the Phone yourself when operating a motor vehicle.

No call is that important that you risk others safety to answer it. Pull over in a safe place to return the call or text.

And remember most parents would rather their child be a few minutes late because they pulled over to make a call then not make it home at all.