In 1994 I took and passed the exam to receive my drivers license. I was 16. At the time, Mississippi drivers could receive their learners permit at 14 and their license at 15.

Why did it take me until 16 to receive my license, you ask?

My mother.

She firmly believed 15 was too early for the responsibility of driving alone, so while many of my other less responsible friends had their freedom on the roads, I spent an extra year under the watchful eye of my parents.

I angrily told her at the time that I would never forgive her for making me wait. (Now, with teens of my own, I may be willing to admit she was right. But don’t tell her that.)

By the time I had my license, I had logged untold hours of driving with my parents in my father’s 1981 Honda Civic and my mother’s Chevy Suburban. A drivers education course at Columbus High School under Coach Hendrix filled in any gaps.

Distracted driving was a recurring warning given by my parents and teachers. I particularly remember being cautioned to adjust the radio only when stopped at a red light.

Fast forward to today.

During my six block commute to work on Monday, I counted the number of people I passed who were looking down at their phones while driving. It was exactly 50%.

Coach Hendrix and my parents would be disappointed to learn that I too have become a distracted driver, often using “it’s important” or “it’s for work” as an excuse to glance at my phone, return a quick text message or to look something up “real quick.”

Multiple studies have shown a link between the prevalence of cell phone usage and accidents resulting from distracted driving. There’s no question that cell phones are a distraction that cause accidents.

I have absolutely no reason to believe Ryan Kohen was distracted by a cell phone or anything else two Wednesdays ago when the truck he was driving was hit by another man fleeing law enforcement in downtown Columbus. The 26-year-old Kohen was airlifted from the soccer complex first to Tupelo and then to Memphis, where he died from his injuries two days later.

That story has stuck with me more than most do. I’ve found myself thinking of different aspects of the story daily, and my emotions have ranged from sorrowful to angry.

More practically, Kohen’s tragedy has prompted me to examine the way I drive and the way I want my children to drive.

It has made me remember to look both ways at an intersection, even if I have the green light.

It has made me remember that I can’t count on other drivers to do the right thing.

It has reminded me that I’m being foolish to be distracted by a cell phone while I’m driving.

That important thing can wait.

Work will be ok if I don’t respond immediately.

Googling the obscure fact I’m trying to remember can hold until I get home.

Based on my observations during my drive to work the other day, it’s a lesson many of us should remember.

So if you text me and I don’t immediately respond, just know I will at the next red light.

Coach Hendrix would be proud.

Peter Imes is editor and publisher of The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected].

Peter Imes is publisher of The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected].