ROAD TEXT RESULTS

Texting. It's a whole new language isn't it? Like Arabic, but with More squiggles. But heed this advice girls - "texting whilst crossing roads is an unseen killer!" make no mistake. That's why I'm here - to help you negotiate such potentially hazardous bends. Dan's the name - road safety's the game!

Remember, you heard it here first at girlmotor.com.

You see texting whilst attempting to cross the queen's highways and byways is a fools game, and most definitely wrong. And I'm here to teach you right from wrong. In a purely motoring sense. It won't be fun of course, because learning isn't about smiling faces and laughter, it's about taking responsibility for your actions.

Industry facts and figures reveal, for the benefit of girlmotor.com,

That there's been a dramatic increase in the numbers of young people like you being injured whilst crossing the road. And the reason for this?

Plain and simple. Young people are way too busy sending text or sms messages to their equally irresponsible friends whilst stepping out across the frantic tarmac of our great and proud nation. My colleagues over at RAC Headquarters found that one third of all 11 - 16 year olds don't look properly when venturing over the kerb; because they are engrossed with their cell phones. Recall what I said earlier about taking responsibility for your actions? Well, the opposite of responsibility is carelessness. And carelessness costs lives!

This wouldn't have happened in my day, when Kevin Keegan and his magnificent perm helped me safely from one kerb to another. But alas, he's gone now.

The RAC Foundations Executive Director, himself nostalgic when recalling Keegan's informed way with traffic, states; "we have been concerned for some time now, that the increased use of mobile phones and personal stereos is particularly conducive to serious injury amongst teens".

Foolish people. You'd do well to remember 2 buzzwords I always recall when attempting to navigate the twisty stuff between pavements, and they are - SPECIAL CARE and PREPARATION. Repeat these words over and over. If you live with others, involve them in a spot of question and answers. If you live by yourself, don't worry. This is quite normal. My learned colleague over at the RAC went on to add; "Listening to Busted and phone-videoing your friends whilst crossing the roads is dangerous and ill-advised". Wise words indeed.

Insurance company's, like girlmotor.com state that almost 15% of all claims are caused by careless pedestrians. Shame on you. If you're sniggering at the back, don't. The problem may not sound that serious to you, but poor road sense can, and will result in injury. Or even death.

And death isn't a laughing matter. This means motorists now have even more to look out for when behind their leather-strapped steering wheel.

As well as weird-arse one way systems, part-time traffic lights and appalling 1965signage, they have suicidal teens to add to the list.

So repeat after me kids - "Texting" whilst crossing roads is for losers!" There. Let that be a lesson to you readers. Both of you. As it's the best piece of advice you'll receive today. "Dan, Dan - road safety man, at your service laydees.."

Date - 15/09/2006