Earlier this month I was pulled over by a motor officer and issued a ticket for distracted driving. I was talking on my cell phone to my husband while holding the phone to my ear. The bluetooth wasn’t working (imagine me screaming into the car speakers “Hello? CAN YOU HEAR ME?” numerous times before I gave up on it). We were in the middle of discussing a very time-pressing important-to-us matter. I had actually pulled into a Toys-R-Us parking lot to talk to him but in the middle of our conversation I realized if I didn’t start driving I would be late to pick up my boys from preschool. So I pulled out on the main road and no more than a minute later I saw police lights in my rear-view mirror. Of course I wasn’t happy about getting a ticket, but I’m glad I did because after paying the fine I took a distracted driving course and it was an excellent reminder of the extreme dangers of talking and texting while driving. The only time you should touch your cell phone in the car is if you need to call 911. My personal emergencies were no excuse! Shame on me. I am now going to pass on some of the statistics and information I learned in this distracted driving class in hopes that at least one of you will listen and learn. It could save a life! Driving is a privilege, not a right and the time we spend behind the wheel should be taking seriously.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
Texting
Using a cell phone or smartphone
Eating and drinking
Talking to passengers
Grooming
Reading, including maps
Using a navigation system
Watching a video
Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field BLINDFOLDED.
3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries are caused by distracted driving each year. Texting while driving is 6 times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated.
11 teens die EVERY DAY due to texting while driving.
Texting while driving is the same as driving after 4 beers.
And if those statistics aren’t enough, this disturbing video of a bus driver caught texting and driving should make you think twice:
I wanted to create a visual reminder for myself. Something to ensure I won’t ever pick up the phone while in my car. Remember, even when you are at a stop light, it is still not safe to pick up your phone. That’s when I came up with this quick and easy crochet phone cover with a “no symbol” button. The cover can stay in your cup holder or be used as an all-day protective sleeve. The most important thing is that you place the phone in the cover as soon as you enter the car. The button sticks out like a sore thumb and is a constant reminder to NEVER TEXT AND TALK WHILE DRIVING. I encourage you to make one for yourself and one for a friend or loved one!
Materials:
– Lion Brand Unique Yarn (Garden color). This is a bulky weight chunky yarn.
– Size H Crochet Hook
– Tapestry Needle
– 1 inch white Button (preferably with only two holes)
– Red Sharpie or Red Paint Pen
Abbreviations:
Ch = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
Note: This cover fits an iPhone 5. If you need to make it wider, just add more chains in the beginning.
Pattern:
Leaving a long tail at the beginning, Chain 23, join with a SC to first chain to make a circle. chain 1 and skip a stitch to begin round 2.
Round 2-19: SC + Ch 1, skip a stitch, SC + Ch 1, skip a stitch, repeat around (working in continuous rounds) until you have about 19 rows.
Round 20: SC + Ch 1, skip a stitch, until you get to the middle of the back edge. Chain 20 and SC to join. Continue to SC + Ch 1, skip a stitch until you get to the end of the side or row (doesn’t really matter where you end this round). Weave in end.
Sew bottom together using the long tail you left at the beginning.
I placed a small circle sticker in the middle of the white button and used a red paint pen to color around it. Be sure to paint the red stripe diagonally across the button holes. Use a bit of red scrap yarn to sew it on to the front of the cover. The “no symbol” button serves a great purpose in this tutorial but I have to admit this would be a beautiful phone case if you used a wooden button instead 😉
A good way to measure how wide you will need to make the starting chain is to wrap it loosely around your phone. Be sure not to twist your chain when joining to make a circle.
Even if you don’t crochet or don’t end up making this project I still hope you took something away from this post. For those of you who are local, the Beaverton Oregon Police Department offers a Distracted Driving class to anyone who wants to attend (not just those who have received traffic tickets). If you have a teenager who is of driving age, this would be a great class for them to attend. I encourage you to contact your local police department and ask if they have a distracted driving class or for more information on distracted driving visit www.distraction.gov.
Blue Burdine says
Thank you for your wonderful post !! I didn't know the statistics were so high for cell phones. I will definitely be drilling some safety rules into my daughters.
Briana Anderson says
Thank you for another fantastic free pattern! I will be making a few to promote NO Cell Phones While Driving.
Kristin Hubbard says
Thank you, Sarah for sharing your story and this video! I was on the phone while driving one time and actually hit the car in front of me. Luckily everyone was alright, but I vowed never to drive while on the phone or texting again. With temptation being too great sometimes, I may have to make myself one of these just a reminder not only of my own story, but of yours and of this video. Thanks for a great pattern! As always, LOVE your blog!
Miffy (@sewsarahsews) says
Thank you for a great post…. just wanted to share a video with you and your readers… this video deals exactly with this topic and puts the message across quite effectively.
Sarah
http://youtu.be/Tlxjng8h3Tc
terry johnson says
Thank you so much for sharing your story and the free pattern! I am going to make these for my family! I get so frustrated when I see folks on the phone in the car. Don't people know they are in control of a 2,000 lb weapon! Anyways, thank you for helping us keep our loved ones safe!
greydogsma says
That's right, Terry….. a car, even under the best of circumstances…. is still a 2,000 lb. potential weapon!
When the driver is completely absorbed with their cell phone it becomes an instant killing machine!!
Jodie Davaz says
What a lovely cover! I recently got ticketed down in Corvallis for being on the phone while driving, too. D'oh. This sounds like a great solution. I'll be sure to post my re-creation as soon as I do one. 🙂
Crochet Hooks says
great pattern, tute and message! So many think they can text, talk and drive and the rest of us spend half our time avoiding them!
greydogsma says
I am in total agreement!!!
Staciy Wilson says
Thank you so much for the advice and the pattern! I have enough yarn and buttons to make these for a few loved ones! Strange question, do you mind if I adapt the pattern for another project? I am an avid reader who detests big bags/purses. If I used the sizing method and added a shoulder strap, I could carry it without a huge bag! Thank you in advance!
Taryn says
I just made mine for my phone in yellow, bronze and magenta. Just have to go get some buttons to complete the project. Thank you so much for posting this and showing us the dangers of talking and driving.
greydogsma says
This is a great post, Sarah!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Not only is this a great gift for virtually EVERYONE….
but also a timely reminder about the dangers of using
cells phones while driving. No conversation, no matter
how important it may seem at the time, is worth dying!
Virtually almost every "distracted" driver I have noticed
is ON THEIR CELL PHONE at the time!
Jody D. Becker says
I liked the color combination and the use of a different stitch for the contrasting yarn. But I find it better and more secure to crochet the tails, from changing colors or starting a new skein, in as I go rather than weave them in at the end. Also a single thread as the button loop was too flimsy. I believe a slip stitch around the top and a chain for the button loop would be better both appearance wise and security wise. I sort of lost you on fastening the button but it didn't look like you made a shank for it as needed. I could have missed it.
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LucyCaitlyn says
Just found this pattern. I got told off for using my mobile while driving my power wheelchair 🙁
So I’m making this cover for me and for car driving friends.
I’m in UK so I’m going to get our statistics and put them in in each of these little covers.
Thanks for sharing pattern and story.
John says
I will definitely be drilling some safety rules. And also use friendly fonts to make good friends with others too.
Josh says
great pattern, tute and message! So many think they can text, talk and drive and the rest of us spend half our time avoiding them! Visit this link to view more amazing content like this.
Amelia Ava says
I’ve shared this article with my friends and family, and we’re all inspired to take action. Some of us are planning to create crochet covers, while others are looking into organizing awareness campaigns in our neighborhoods. It’s amazing how a single idea can spark a wave of positive change. Thank you for this wonderful article!
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