Note: This editorial was the 2nd place finisher in the PNA “It Can Wait” contest. Congratulations Treston!

My French Class got into a fight about whether or not texting while driving was dangerous and if the dangers are as relevant as it was with young teens a couple years ago. Curious, I decided to create a poll asking one question: “Have you ever sent a text while driving?”

The poll had lasted a full 24 hours, going from noon on Tuesday to noon on Wednesday, and I received fifty-four total votes. Although more than fifty percent of my friends voted that they have never sent a text while driving, forty-six percent admitted to the dangerous habit. That is twenty-five of my friends who, while behind the wheel of a car, were distracted. 

That is twenty-five of my friends who might not have been in school tomorrow, twenty-five families who might be eating dinner with an empty chair. Twenty-five dogs who might bark at the school bus when their best friend does not come home and twenty-five empty beds and unused closets. Twenty-five unfed goldfish and starving hamsters. Twenty-five widows, or orphaned children, or parents who lost a child. Twenty-five obituaries. Twenty-five funerals.

Twenty-five funerals with millions of tears. Twenty-five funerals with thousands of grievances. Twenty-five funerals with hundreds of broken hearts.  Twenty-five funerals with dozens of white lilies. Twenty-five funerals with several heart-wrenching speeches. Twenty-five funerals because of one text.

Unfortunately, there are thousands more distracted drivers than my twenty-five friends. This could be twenty-five of your friends, or it could be you. That “okay” text you “need” to send to can wait. That “be there soon” text can wait. That “I love you” text can be said in person. No matter the text, it can wait. Please, for me, your loved ones, your pets, and for yourself, don’t text while driving. Make sure your dog continues to look forward to you coming home. The text can wait—your dog will too.