The Cost of Carelessness

Distracted driving is an epidemic in our country. Car accidents are the 11th leading cause of death in the United States across all ages, and the leading cause for those aged 13-30. As a victim of a recent car accident, this issue is especially important to me. When going to pick up my siblings from school after leaving early, I was making a routine left turn when, suddenly, a distracted driver crossed a white solid line and sped through a yellow light. His car smashed into mine, totaling our family car. I was thankful to even be alive, seeing the damages of my passenger side. However, due to hospital and ambulance expenses, an increase in insurance (despite the accident being ruled as the other driver’s fault), and repairs being done to the used car we had to purchase, our financial situation only worsens. The distracted driver did not even get out of his car to talk to me, and he may never know how much he has impacted our family, and also my ability to attend my dream university. It is through scholarships, like yours, that I will be financing my own way through college, and because of my car crash, it especially matters to me.

Putting a stop to distracted driving would have done more than just help me to afford my education, it would have prevented nearly 3,500 yearly deaths and 300,000 yearly injuries related to or caused by car accidents caused by distracted drivers. It is an extremely pressing issue that could be prevented. The methods I would certainly suggest would be phone technologies that disable use while driving and more severe punishments for those convicted of texting while driving. The use of a technology that detects when the user of the phone is driving and disables its use would ensure that people remain focused on the road and are not dividing their attention would significantly decrease the amount of drivers using their phone while driving. If there were, additionally, harsher punishments for those convicted of texting while driving. In the state of Pennsylvania, texting while driving currently results in a mere fifty dollar fee and results in no points on the driver’s licence. Not even every U.S. state has a law against texting and driving. These punishments do not match the potential they have to ruin another person’s life. A higher fee or points on the driver’s licence may be a better incentive to convince drivers to stay off of their phone while driving. 

Another way to keep drivers focused on driving is to share stories of the consequences of distracted driving. My story of how a careless, distracted driver has put a dent in my ability to attend my dream university and changed my family permanently is one that may help the cause of stopping distracted driving. Others affected by distracted driving coming forward about how it has changed their life could have an impact on the cause. Along the same lines, making this very vital cause more public would help in pressing the importance of remaining focused on the road while driving. Just as campaigns against drunk driving have been effective in reducing DUI incidents, similar approaches can be used to tackle distracted driving. The use of advertisement in the media could certainly be a useful approach to make the dangers of distracted driving more widely known. Additionally, schools could implement a unit in a health course about distracted driving, as it is most commonly an epidemic among teenagers in America. There is also a lot of importance emphasizing the importance of remaining focused while driving among teenagers in our generation, having gone through our entire adolescence distracted by phones. By making it incorporated in school and through social media where they are sure to see it, they will be forced to understand the importance of safe driving and the consequences of distracted driving. 

In conclusion, distracted driving is a preventable crisis that continues to impact countless lives, including mine. The financial burden, emotional toll, and potential loss of life make it an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. By incorporating technology that disables phone use while driving, enforcing stricter laws, sharing personal stories, launching public awareness campaigns, promoting hands-free technology, and increasing law enforcement efforts, we can work towards a future with fewer distracted drivers on the road. It is imperative that we take action now to prevent more unnecessary tragedies and ensure that drivers prioritize safety over convenience. Through collective efforts, we can make a difference and save lives, one responsible driver at a time.