Status Update: Distracted Driving

Status Update: Distracted Driving

Every teenager is brimming with excitement when they finally reach
the age that gives them freedom: the freedom to drive. But, with any
kind of freedom, there comes great responsibility, and driving is no
exception.

When I finally got my driver’s license last year I was so happy and
felt as if I was on top of the world. As I got into the car with my
mom, the first thing she said to me was, “I am very proud of you,
but keep in mind that when you are on the road, you have to believe
that you are the only sane driver.” I am reminded of this simple
statement every time I step into my car.

Driving already requires you to be attentive to many different
things. You have to be mindful of street signs, speed limits, traffic
lights, pedestrians, and other cars. Drivers ed familiarizes
and helps us understand and be on the lookout for all these things.
Knowing this information and being able to apply it while on the
road, makes driving safer.

Unfortunately, other things—cellphones, music from the radio, and
even other passengers—can distract us and make us lose focus when
driving. For cellphones, I find the “Do Not Disturb I am Driving”
feature extremely useful. This feature blocks notifications from
apps, missed calls, messages, and even sends a text to notify people
when you can’t respond. Furthermore, many people I know limit the
number of people they drive because they want to reduce the
likelihood of distractions.

I have been in car accidents—never as the driver but as the
passenger—several times throughout my life. Just this past year, my
mom, sister, and I were on our way home when we were hit by a car who
had tried to pass us on the right. When the police arrived, the lady
in the other car tried to say that we had cut her off, but one of our
neighbors who was pulling out right when the accident happened,
witnessed the whole thing and told the officers that the lady had
tried to pass us on the right as we were making a right turn. I was
astounded when the lady initially refused to take responsibility for
what happened. What she did endangered herself as well as myself, my
mother, and sister

As a driver, it is my responsibility to know and adhere to the laws
that govern driving. Driving is a privilege and privileges can be
taken away. When driving, we should try to avoid things that could
distract us from the task at hand. While we can’t control
everything that takes place around us on the road, we can control the
decisions we make prior, during, and after we drive in order to
ensure the safety of our lives and others.