Letter to the Editor: "We Are Dealing with People's Lives"

Dear Readers,

As an 11 year old, I don’t have a driver’s license and I don’t drive but I have been in the car a lot of times with my mom. Sometimes I have seen my mom read an email or reply to a text message while driving and I never really did anything. 

Now, my Girl Scout troop is trying to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. This is a really important issue. A lot of lives have been lost because of distracted driving and even more people have been hurt or injured. Now, whenever I see my mom with her phone in the car while she is driving I tell her that it’s not okay. Instead, if it’s really urgent, she has me send the text or email for her so she can keep her eyes on the road.

Related:

Our Girl Scout troop has created a pledge form people can sign if they agree not to talk on the phone, text or email while driving. I really want a lot of people to sign it because it can save lives! Our troop will have an awareness booth at the corner of Lincoln and Elm during the Winnetka Memorial Day Parade. I really want people to come and sign the pledge. We are also having a free car wash to raise awareness at Winnetka Presbyterian Church on June 2. So please, come and sign the pledge because we are not dealing with something small; we are dealing with people’s lives.

Kathleen Hopps
Junior Girl Scout
Troop #41059