Final answer:
Pledging not to text and drive is crucial for safety due to the powerful habit of checking phones, known as event schemata, which can significantly delay a driver's response time, risking accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
I pledge to not text and drive because my safety and the safety of others is more important than any message. The habit of checking our phones, or event schemata, makes it difficult to resist texting while driving, but understanding the risks can help us break this behavior. Just as it feels almost impossible not to face the door in an elevator due to our event schemata, the impulse to check our phones is strong. However, research, as noted by Bayer & Campbell (2012), shows that it's essential to interrupt the phone schema while driving to prevent dangerous situations. For instance, a driver's response time is significantly delayed when they are texting, creating a risk for everyone on the road. Studies into the response time of drivers who text reveal that even a few seconds' delay can lead to accidents when a leading car hits the brakes.