No matter how many times we hear a life lesson, there are some that need to be reinforced constantly. Important lessons that are frequently missed in day-to-day life include treating everyone equally, making sure kids receive a good education, and, most importantly, refraining from distracted driving.

We frequently drive, but even a brief moment of distraction can have disastrous results. Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of collisions in spite of multiple warnings.

After sharing a joyful Facebook post, 32-year-old Courtney Sanford tragically died in an avoidable accident in 2014. Her vehicle swerved across the highway and collided with a recycling truck a short while later. She was instantly killed when her car caught fire.

Although authorities affirmed that no drugs or alcohol were used, they stressed that this tragedy should serve as a warning about the risks associated with distracted driving. “A life was over in a matter of seconds just so she could let some friends know that she was happy,” said Lt. Chris Weisner. It isn’t worth it at all.

Although the truck driver was unharmed, Courtney’s family and friends were deeply affected by her passing. The NHTSA reports that 3,142 people died as a result of distracted driving in 2020 alone, despite continuous awareness campaigns.

Courtney’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder that you should never risk your life for a text, update, or notification. When driving, put your phone down, remain attentive, and maintain focus.