It's Now Illegal!

As of Tuesday, June 1, a new law banning texting on cell phones
while driving in Missouri City, Texas went into effect. Even while
stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. I, for one, think this is
a great law and will prevent injuries and save lives.

Far too many of us have become so relaxed while driving that it's
like sitting comfortably in our homes with food, drinks, DVD's,
phones and cruise control.

I was appalled the other day when I observed a woman driving
on the freeway with an iPhone in her right hand using her thumb
to operate it and a flip phone in her left while holding the
steering wheel! This was definitely over the top!

I blew the horn at her and she looked up at me with the most
indignant look on her face. Like I was rude and interrupted her!

I'm sure some people think I shouldn't blow the horn, but I don't
want anyone looking down at their phone drifting over and hitting
me! And I'm going to continue to honk the horn.

The risks of texting or even talking while driving are huge. The
number one distraction while driving is cell phone use. The
National Safety Council says that texting is six times more likely
to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated!

Imagine if a person is drunk, or high, texting, listening to the
radio with dogs, kids or other people in the vehicle trying to
juggle the hot Starbucks or soft drink and eat the burger and
fries!! Oh, yes and play a clarinet at the same time. Okay, I'm
exaggerating just a little...maybe. But I have seen a guy driving
a truck with two hands on a clarinet resting it on the center of
the steering wheel!

Bottom line, driving is a serious business and I think we'veall
become a little too relaxed about it. Especially as it relates
with food and phones. It's becoming a significant life altering
problem.

I've been noticing a very alarming trend in my chiropractic
wellness practice. I am treating an ever increasing amount of
patients from trauma due to motor vehicle collisions. Most are my
existing patients, some past patients and others referred by
patients or medical doctors. Some have had devastating collisions.

I am and always have been, willing to help my patients or those
they care about in any way I can. Returning someone back to
optimum health after a trauma is important work and requires
clinical competence. Healing takes time and musculoskeletal and
neurologic degeneration needs to be thwarted.

Just the other day, I accepted a patient for care who was referred
by another current patient. He was amazed by all the ways with
which we treat including adjusting the spine and nutritional
intervention. I was amazed because he had told me about a previous
terrible experience he had being treated at an "accident clinic"
that an attorney had sent him to. The chiropractor never even
adjusted his spine.

This man wasn't treated properly, had a bad experience with the
attorney and the doctor. He only agreed to see me at the urging of
a family member. He overcame his previous negative experience, now
he's doing great and very happy.

The point is there are lots of "accident clinics" with dubious
attorney connections. I can't tell you how many times we refuse to
accept an accident patient that doesn't know us; referred by an
attorney we don't know where the circumstances are questionable.
It happens a lot. Believe me, there is a lot of corruption out
there.

Accident cases aren't our primary source of business, as you well
know, we are a wellness clinic. But we will treat people who have
sustained a legitimate injury. They need help and have the right
to receive exceptional care.

I know it seems trite and easy to say, but prevention is the best
medicine always, in all ways! So think safety first. The best
accident is the one you don't have. Be alert...stay off the phone.

I don't want you or someone you love to be injured or, worse,
killed.

God forbid you become injured, but if you do, I'll be happy to help
anyway I can.

I don't give legal or insurance advice, but there are two things
I've learned over the years. First, there are better ways to pick
an attorney than from a commercial or the yellow pages. I'm not
saying you need or don't need an attorney, but if you're thinking
about retaining one, ask me about it.

Secondly, please speak with your insurance agent and get
personal injury protection (PIP) added to your policy if you don't
have it. It's very inexpensive and pays for medical expenses and
lost wages. There are a lot of uninsured drivers out there. You
need to protect yourself because medical bills can add up quickly
after a trauma. I've seen too many patients suffer a financial
loss by not having personal injury protection on their policy.
Check it out with your agent.

One last statistic to think about--teenage drivers are four times
more likely to get in an accident while texting and driving than
adults. We all know they think they are invincible, just as we
once did.

Let's all stay safe and healthy!

Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. I have a free motor vehicle collision report with information
most insurance companies don't want you to know. If you're
interested, let me know