Drive Friendly — The Texas Way

When I first started showing interest in driving, my father was more than happy to be my instructor. By showing me the important aspects of a car when popping the hood, and teaching me how to change a tire, my father taught me to be independent, but alongside this, he also taught me how it is a privilege to drive. Whenever I would get too excited about driving on a street, or think about pulling off a funny stunt in the car at the empty parking I would practice in, my father would always remind me how serious of a matter driving is. He would say how every time I sat in the driver’s seat, there was no guarantee that I would make it to my destination. I would tell my father that I am confident in my skills, but he would remind me and say I can be the best driver in the world, but to remember I share the roads with other people. I can do everything right and still be involved in an accident that was not my fault. I listened to my father’s words carefully, and to this day remind myself of them every time I sit in a vehicle. Driving, what once seemed exciting to me, had become an anxious privilege I now have.

Carrying this anxiety, I never thought I would have to think twice about the effects of distracted driving on others, that was until the night of September 24^th, 2024. I had just finished eating dinner with my best friend at our university’s dining hall when an incoming call from my mother lit up my phone. She had been trying to get in contact with me since Sunday, stating it was urgent, but due to my busy schedule, I kept forgetting to call her when I had a spare minute. Finally, instead of waiting for me to be free, she went ahead and gave me a call, which I then answered right in the middle of the dining hall. As any parent with their child at university, she asks me how I am doing and how my studies are going. I proceed to catch her up and tell her I am doing good, and she seems happy to hear, but not delighted like other times. Her tone is off, and I can sense the gloom in her voice through the phone. My mother proceeded to tell me that my uncle, my tío Miguel, had passed away in a car accident on Saturday, September 21st. My heart dropped and my smile faded, just a few moments ago I was laughing with my best friend, how did everything change in an instant? My immediate reaction was the first stage of grief, denial. I am in disbelief as she proceeds to tell me the details of his death. I can feel a lump in my throat start to form and suddenly it had become hard to swallow. I finally let my tears fall in the dining hall as my best friend watched in confusion. On September 21^st, 2024, at approximately 4:30 pm, my uncle and his dear friend were killed in a head-on collision with another vehicle. The driver? A distracted and speeding 16-year-old who walked away with his life. 3 children lost their father that day.

A distracted driver changed the lives of my family forever that day. I will never have the honor of seeing my uncle once more, having a conversation with him, or even giving him a hug. My aunt will go to sleep on the right side of her king-sized bed while the left will now be empty. My cousins will lack their father figure, and will now be reminded of this tragedy every year on Father’s Day, his birthday, and every day of their developing lives. Distracted driving has affected my life and my family’s life in more ways than one, and unfortunately, nothing can undo the chain of events that led to this heartbreak.

Although we cannot change the past, we as a society can take preventative measures as we move forward to prevent future accidents like this from happening. Making drivers, especially new young drivers, fully aware of the dangers on the road through social media platforms is a great way to reach a vast audience. Content can be appealed to different target audiences, whether it be teens, adults, or just anyone who is not fully aware of what the cost of distracted driving is. If the CEO’s of TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and just about any platform took the time to add educational videos and posts about distracted driving on one’s algorithm, the exposure to the harsh reality of driving, accidents, and distracted driving can begin to change bad habits, and hopefully inspire others to share the importance of safe driving.

Bumper stickers and highway signs are also great ways to remind drivers as they are on the road. I live in the state of Texas where we constantly see “Drive Friendly — The Texas Way.” The state of Texas has done a great job of reminding drivers to drive safely with digital highway signs that change messages, whether it be a fun pun, a simple reminder, or even a statistic about deaths on the road. Even a small reminder of a “drive safe, someone loves you,” bumper sticker can quickly snap someone into full awareness and remind them how fragile our lives are, and how quickly things can change.

In the age of technology, I believe that phones and car consoles can begin implementing driving-friendly procedures. We already see systems like “Do not disturb while driving,” modes, but for drivers that may forget to turn it on, I believe there can be other measures. I remember a notable feature that was added to the app “Pokémon-Go,” was the speed detection feature, which ultimately would detect how fast the phone was moving, and would give a warning to the user to remind them that the game should not be played while driving. When it comes to technology and driving, aiming for an “eyes-free” approach should be the goal to keep in mind with new technological innovations.

In conclusion, distracted driving is a silent killer that is constantly overlooked and undermined, and many forget that there is a possibility of an accident until it happens to them or a loved one. We need to take action in the present, no one should have to realize how important safe driving is after a wreck. By educating young drivers, and implementing reminders on the roads and in cars, one by one we can stop distracted driving, and Drive Friendly — The Texas Way.