What Steps Can Be Taken to Reduce the Number of Deaths Related to Driving

The world we live in today has become so fast paced and advanced in technology that it is as if we all have minicomputers right in the palm of our hands. While this is good in some ways, it is also bad in a lot of other ways especially when these things become distractions to us. Everyone thinks, it will not ever happen to me, until it does, and then we must pay consequences that could have very well been prevented. Then we are left to reevaluate life and the things that are most important. No distraction is worth anyone’s life yet everyday around the world, people are killed by distracted drivers.

I believe that we can reduce the number of deaths related to driving if we could reduce texting and driving. Texting has become one of the most distracting activities that people do while driving. When we text while driving, we put more attention in that and less focus on the road. Texting has become very popular as we can relay messages faster with just a few clicks of a button. It has become so convenient, but it can be very dangerous as well when we do not use discretion in when to do so. I wish everyone would stop and think, is this text message worth my life or others around me?

Texting while driving is alarmingly 6 times more deadly than driving while drunk. 25% of all car accidents are the result of cell phone usage. The National Safety Council reports 1.6 million crashes a year wherein a cell phone was in use while driving. In fact, 11 teens die from texting and driving every day. Given this disturbing data, I pledge to continue to use personal preventative measures to lessen the chances of being distracted when driving by my cell phone. I have downloaded an application that automatically sends a text when I am driving to let whoever is texting know that I will respond later as I am driving. Other measures that I have found to be helpful is to not keep my phone so readily accessible or in my hand when I am driving. If I know that I am expecting something important, I usually allow a trusted passenger to answer or to respond for me. Another preventative measure would be to simply turn the phone off. The more I become educated in the fatality rates due to distracted driving, the more I really want to work to be voice to encourage myself and my family and friends to not text and drive. It is not worth endangering yourself or others. It may be important, but not important enough that it cannot wait.

I believe that more young people like myself need to speak up on this topic. We need to be a greater voice in the community to let others know that it is not cool. I would love to possibly host an event and possibly invite the parents and families of people who were killed by distracted drivers that were possibly texting. I think it would be eye opening to hear these stories firsthand and to make others aware that this is real. It is not just something we hear around the world or on TV or in commercials, but it is the unfortunate reality now for some. It could also be ours if we do not take a stand and decide that our lives and the lives of others are more important. I believe that we can spread the news around the nation, one event at a time to encourage the world to put the phones down while driving. We do not have to have a law against it or wait for one per se to do so. We need to just do it! Just do it by taking the initiative to not text or scroll social media while driving. Just do it and not allow the use of cell phones to take another life to a careless mistake. Just do it and make a difference in this world in fatality statistics that are related to cell phone usage while driving. I think we can make a difference and together we can make our voice stronger and let the world know that it is not cool to text and drive. I think we can shift the focus back on safe driving habits when we take the initiative to stand and let our voices be heard to address the disconnect between the awareness and the actual behavior. When it all comes together, the safety light will come on in a great way and the power to make a difference will shine like never before.