Attention young people: IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.

This just in: 

YOU ARE NOT INVINCIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There have been some alarming incidents in the last few weeks/month/years that had lead me to feel the need to write this. Please read the whole thing, this isn't just some stereotypically email forward chain this is really something that comes from my heart. 

And even if it changes the way ONE person thinks then it's worth it.

  PLEASE HEAR ME OUT. 

I'm 21 this is supposed to be the best/craziest/happiest time of my life right? Well unfortunately, sometimes that's not the case. It's time that I bring attention to the elephant in the room. 

I am sick going to my friends funerals!!!!!!!!!! 

People my age shouldn't be dying because of STUPID decisions. The main causes: 

Texting while driving.

Driving reckless.  

Not wearing your seatbelt.

Driving under the influence.

I'll be the first to fess up. Yes, I have been caught texting behind the wheel a time or two. 

BUT IT HAS TO STOP.  

From now on my phone will go on silent and be stored away in the glove box as soon as I get in or I will find a DT: Designated Texter! 

(Friends love being useful and free rein to go snooping through your phone will probably be incentive enough.)

Reckless driving: I'm realizing that it's completely different for guys and girls. 

For the girls: we like to multi-task but it's NOT okay while driving! There is NO reason to be checking facebook, scanning the radio, while eating, and digging around for your sunglasses, at the same time you're re-touching your makeup WHILE DRIVING!!!! Okay maybe that a little extreme but we all do it to an extent and we need to KNOCK IT OFF. 

Now for guys, I've learned its mostly about impressing the girls. Popping wheelies on motorcycles, burning rubber at stoplights, driving pedal to the medal. Here's the deal: 

most girls DO NOT CARE. Girls are more impressed with the cute boy inside the car NOT how CRAZY they drive. 

 I will understand WHY people WONT wear a seatbelt. It takes literally less than 3 seconds to put on. They aren't uncomfortable, they move with your body, and have been 

PROVEN TO SAVE LIVES in ACCIDENTS! 

And just to play devil's advocate here: I once had someone tell me they don't wear it b/c if possible road-head/foreplay situation arises it will kill the mood. 

STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!!!

MY ADVICE: keep your horny little eyes on the road, find a parking lot or some other classy place like a country backroad, PULL OVER, UNBUCKLE THEN enjoy humping like rabbits for all I care. But don't risk your life for one or two blowies.
(speaking the truth and not holding anything back...sorry if that offends anyone but it's been said and needed to be addressed)

And the final issue. Driving under the influence (this isn't just alcohol-it also includes other drugs.) Whether you're trashed or baked, here's my advice: 

DONT GET BEHIND THE WHEEL!!!!!!!!!!! 

It is my BIGGEST pet PEEVE.  I have never had a drink or hit off anything in my life (which I'm not trying to be holy-er than thou) it's the choice I've made for myself and I'm very content living that way. I would be stupid to think that was the case for the majority of my generation in fact I KNOW it's not. But honestly, I'm begging you: Think about what you're doing. 

Plan ahead! 

Have a RELIABLE DD, call a CAB, just call SOMEONE else to come get you. I have been a DD countless times, granted waking up in the middle of the night isn't my ideal dream but I would MUCH RATHER coming to get your drunk behind than to attend your funeral or visiting you in jail for vehicular manslaughter. Am I exaggerating? To the majority of you, I'll be honest, probably: You might be one lucky SonOfaGun and never get caught, never get hurt, and never get in any sort of accident or trouble but that's something I'd rather not risk. 

It's time we all started growing up and taking responsibility for our actions. Whether you're 15 or 25 this message is to you. Please really think about this stuff because it's real, I know. I've watched it happen. I've felt the pain of losing friends because of stupid accidents. Even if I don't know you that well, someone does: A parent, a best friend, a brother/sister, a teammate. Think about all the people in your life and how THOSE people will be affected by your decisions! 

I hope that after reading this you decide that your life is worth a whole lot more than wasting it to one text message, one drunken night, or the three seconds it took to buckle up.

With love,
A friend <3