Distracted Driving Habits

Distracted driving is a common issue among drivers, especially young drivers. I have a personal stake in this issue as I drive to school every day, and the commute takes around 30 minutes. Over time, the drive has become quite boring and uneventful, with little to no variation in the scenery or traffic. This has made the daily drive to school a rather dull experience. During this time, I often get easily distracted by various things, such as music, texting, or notifications on my phone. However, after realizing the severity of the situation, I decided to take some preventive measures.

One of the reasons for my distractions is selecting music that suits my mood while keeping my eyes on the road. Navigating through my phone’s music library and choosing a playlist or song is challenging without taking my attention away from driving. If I can’t find the right music, it can ruin my entire drive. I’m very particular about the music I listen to on my way to school, as it helps the time pass more quickly. However, I have found a solution to this problem – I recently subscribed to Spotify Premium. This allows me to access a wide range of music and select my desired playlist or song via my dashboard or even voice command, without having to look at my phone. It allows me to change songs either from my steering wheel or from my dashboard. This has not only made my driving experience safer but also more enjoyable as I can now listen to my favorite tunes without any distractions.

It’s important to acknowledge that one of the most common reasons for distracted driving is texting while driving. Despite being aware of the risks involved, many people, including myself, find it difficult to resist the temptation of checking their phones while driving. This is particularly true when it comes to sending messages to loved ones to let them know that we are on our way. For instance, every time I leave my house, I feel compelled to inform my boyfriend of my departure, so that he knows when to expect me. Although I understand that this is not the right thing to do, I have to admit that I find the act of texting less boring than driving without any distractions. I feel that being on my phone while driving makes me forget I am driving and gets me to where I need to be faster without actually speeding. I have to admit that it is really bad to get distracted so easily while on the road. However, it is also important to remember that no text message or phone call is worth risking our safety or the safety of others on the road. A split second can put in danger either your life or the lives of those around you. Hence, I started using the driving mode on my phone, which is a do-not-disturb widget. This feature disables all notifications while I’m driving, and I can concentrate on the road. I also found that Apple CarPlay, which is a feature available in my car, is very helpful. It allows me to use my phone through the dashboard display, which reduces the need to take my eyes off the road. I can control the music, make calls, and send messages using voice commands, which makes the driving experience much safer.

Ever since my aunt experienced a severe car crash while returning from work with her colleague, I’ve been much more vigilant about avoiding distractions while driving. The accident occurred on a slight hill when the driver behind them, distracted by a phone call, failed to notice their slowing vehicle. Despite the speeding, the impact was significant enough to crush half of their car. Miraculously, both survived with major injuries. It was later revealed that the other driver was on the phone and completely unaware of their presence on the road. Witnessing the aftermath of such a small distraction nearly costing my aunt’s life was a sobering experience. She suffered multiple fractures and shattered bones, all from a momentary lapse in attention. It served as a stark reminder that no text or call is worth endangering a life.

Although using the phone while driving is still a risk, I believe taking these preventive measures can minimize the risk and make the roads safer for everyone. In the end, it’s essential to prioritize safety and avoid distractions while driving. It can be tempting to multitask while behind the wheel, but the risks are not worth it.