Good evening ladies!

Yes it’s that time of week again – the WEEKEND!! Thank goodness! In this week’s #LiveRightAtNight post I want to remind you to be smart about traveling right in the evening including one of the new dangers posed by texting and walking.  Sure you’ve read a lot about people walking into traffic, off piers (true story) and even into other people while texting and walking, but that isn’t all that can happen when you’re unaware of your surroundings!

A new trend sees thieves snatching smartphones while users are texting or even talking on the phone, and it has now become a nationwide problem. In some cases brazen thieves are holding people up at gunpoint to get their hands on a new phone.  In New York City police report more than 40% of all robberies involve cell phones. Across the country in L.A. police say cell phone thefts have increased almost 30% compared to last year.

Yes ladies snatching your smartphone – which I know has your entire life stored on it from passwords, to emails, and pictures –  is today’s modern day purse snatch.

Here are a couple tips to keep you (and your phone) safe:

1)   Register your cell phone’s serial number with your local police department.

2)   Minimize distraction – don’t text and walk and take your eyes off your surroundings

3)   If someone snatches your phone don’t fight back. You don’t want to get injured    especially if the thief has a weapon.

4)   Don’t keep your phone in your back pocket or in plain sight.

5)   Don’t leave your phone unattended. Anywhere.

6)   Make sure you put a password on your phone to protect your information.

7)   Sign up for a smartphone tracking app if you have not already.

Follow the above rules and also stay on the look out for how the law is intervening! Individual phone carriers and police agencies are launching databases you can enter your phone’s serial number into that will permanently disable your phone if it’s stolen.  The Federal Communication Commission has also agreed to set up a national database to track stolen phones. It’s slated to launch later this year.

This weekend as you’re walking down the street instead of texting your date that you are en route keep those sexy bedroom eyes open to avoid becoming a victim.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend.

Smooches,

Dr. V

It’s Lover’s Day again Ladies!

This year as you savor fine Belgian dark chocolates and smell your long-stem roses with your lover (or let’s admit it, yourself) don’t forget to send some virtual love to the special people who have been by your side through romance and heartbreak: your girlfriends!  Sure Valentine’s Day is a huge commercial holiday for romantic relationships but it’s also a great time to honor those women in your life who have been instrumental in your development into the fabulous woman you see and celebrate in the mirror every day!

Let them know that you love and appreciate them so much that their health and wellness is as much a priority to you as scheduling a regular Girls Night Out!

How can you do that?  Look no further!  Download my Dr. V Valentine’s Day Pledge Cards (or tag your girlfriends in them via my Facebook page) and send them to your mom, sisters, friends – whomever you want to honor and love this holiday!

Unlike champagne, chocolate or diamonds, they don’t cost a thing, won’t add inches to your waist and are hangover free!

So, this year ladies let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day by pledging to support and keep each other healthy!

Wishing you a safe & sexy Valentine’s Day.

Dr. V

Travel Right at Night ….

Happy Friday everyone, the weekend is here again … This week we are focusing on traveling right at night. I want to take a moment to ask what do you do when your smartphone chimes as you’re driving in the car? Do you ignore it or pick it up immediately even while you are cruising on the highway?

Well, did you know that texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to have an accident?? Yes, that’s right 23 times! Your reaction time while driving and using a cell phone even with a hands-free device is the same reaction time as a person with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of .08 percent! That’s astonishing right?

So this weekend as you’re hitting the streets and texting your friends that you are on your way please make sure to text safely! Do it while you aren’t driving. In 2009 almost 500,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving. I know you are going to tell me that you only text while you are stopped at a light right? Sending or receiving a text takes a your eyes off the road for almost 5 seconds. This is the amount of time needed to travel the entire length of a football field at 55mph.

Talking on the phone even using a hands-free device uses about 40% of your brain power that should be focused on the road. Add in singing along to your favorite GaGa or Beyonce song and you are totally distracted. Drivers between the ages of 16-20 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported … wait though .. it’s not just teens who are multi-tasking while driving .. 30-39-year-olds have the highest percentage of cell phone use in fatal crashes!

Texting is more distracting than talking on the phone while you are driving because texting requires you to be involved with your hands, head, and eyes. So please don’t text and drive. Most states have distraction laws in place. Make sure you know the laws in your state. Injuring someone while texting and driving could cost you jail time and a fine.

Have a safe and fabulous weekend

Dr. V