02/23/2026
GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR PHONE!
Today, February 23, marks the 12th birthday Milt isn’t here to celebrate.
Milt believed birthdays were the most important day of every person’s life. He loved celebrating others. He believed each life mattered deeply.
On December 8, 2013, Milt was killed by a distracted LA County Sheriff who veered into the bike lane and struck him at 48 mph. The deputy had been texting all morning before the crash.
Since that day, I have devoted my time to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. I often focus on texting because that is what took Milt’s life.
But today, on his birthday, I’d like to start a conversation about our relationship with our phones and where we can gently shift toward healthier habits.
When we become addicted to our phones, whether texting, scrolling, or checking social media, we put everyone at risk. Not just when we are driving, but in how we live, how we connect, and how we model behavior for others.
Many of us experience signs of phone addiction without even realizing it:
Headaches, neck, or hand pain from constant use
Compulsive checking
Difficulty reducing screen time
Neglecting work or personal relationships
Trouble sleeping due to blue light and late-night stimulation that disrupts melatonin
The goal of the Milt Olin Foundation is simple: to help save lives.
Of course, do not use your phone while driving. That is non-negotiable.
But it is also important to address the root cause. The habits. The constant pull. The need to check.
Here are a few simple ways to begin reducing phone dependence:
Establish strict screen time limits for social media
Replace screen time with face-to-face interaction, hobbies, or exercise
Set a nightly cutoff time, such as no social media after 8:30 pm
Remove smart recommendations from your browser that pull you into endless scrolling
Turn your phone to grayscale to reduce visual stimulation
Small changes can break powerful habits.
If birthdays are the most important day of a person’s life, then protecting each other’s lives is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
On Milt’s birthday, I ask you to look at your relationship with your phone. Not with guilt. With honesty.
Because attention is precious. Life is precious.
And every birthday matters.
-Louise
