Recently after running a line of shooters on a new proposed qualification course I was standing in front of an officer talking to him about how to improve his shooting when he grabbed his smart-phone off his belt read a text someone had sent him and then with both thumbs, began clicking out a response. I said, "I hope that text is telling you how to shoot better," and walked away to another shooter who had more interest in improving his skill at arms than a non work related text.

Don't get me wrong, I dig technology. Although I don't have texting on my cell at the moment, my new phone contract will have it. I have resisted thus far because of cost and too much connectivity issues (getting away from the net is sometimes a nice thing). I'm typing this column on a notebook computer that's connected to Wi-Fi. I have several email accounts and exchange email with other trainers and friends nationwide as well as having my own website. I keep up with my profession and associates via Facebook. I check the news daily online. I have a GPS unit in my personal car and have had one for a number of years. Technology has improved my life, eased my work and helps keep me in touch with family and friends. But technology or the overuse of same can hurt you as well.

There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by that I don't encounter another driver that is distracted while they're busy talking on their cell phones when they should be focused on their driving. Like each one of you I'm sure, I see that they are completely oblivious to the other cars around them or have reduced their peripheral vision on one side. Distraction leads to disaster...

Item: The engineer of a commuter train in California was texting some young train enthusiast friends when he apparently missed the red light that indicated another train was on the tracks ahead. Failing to stop his commuter train impacted with a freight train the result was 25 dead and over 135 injured.

Item: A police officer was killed while on an accident scene doing reconstruction work when a texting motorist hit and killed him.

Item: Numerous bus and truck drivers have hit cars or pedestrians while they were texting. One internet video shows a bus driver texting for six minutes prior to hitting another vehicle.

Item: An off-duty Sheriff's Deputy may have been texting while driving on an interstate prior to losing control and impacting a concrete divider. The collision took her life.