Eyes Off The Road

One of humans’ most significant problems is distractions. It is easy to be distracted from any goal. Today’s technology does not make this any easier. Being a teenager in this generation has single-handedly proven the point that teenagers scarcely drive. The use of smartphones while driving significantly increases the likelihood of car accidents. Texting while driving is more likely to cause an accident than driving under the influence.

In high school, I was friends with quite a few people who saw driving as a right rather than a privilege. With this mentality, it creates an expectation of bad habits while driving. The bad habits stem from the constant need for technology. There has been an increase in how much humans rely on phones. As time progresses, so do phones and our reliance on them. Phones, with their constant notifications and updates, are the way to save you from boredom by connecting with others. However, this very technology is also the root cause of many driving distractions. Roads don’t pause. Stoplights don’t wait for emojis. And when tires meet a distracted mind, things can change forever in the time it takes to tap a screen.

Understanding why teens check their phones while driving is key to addressing the problem effectively. Smartphones are designed to keep us connected, primarily through notifications and algorithms. However, when driving, this can become a problem. Teens may feel compelled to check their phones, whether it’s a message from a friend or the latest gossip. Notifications trigger automatic responses. Without thinking, a vibration or sound can cause a teen to glance at their screen, often without realizing they’re putting themselves and others in danger. This unintentional attachment can be a significant distraction. While communication is a key feature of smartphones, it’s important to remember that safety should always come first.

When teens are behind the wheel, the distraction is not from strictly texting but instead changing the song or taking pictures while at a red light. Despite knowing the risks, many teens continue to text and drive, forming a dangerous habit that endangers not only themselves but everyone on the road. These distractions not only affect themselves but also others who are also in the streets with them. Being unable to detach willingly causes a distraction that affects everyone in the streets. Teens struggle to focus on simple tasks like driving, which can lead to more serious problems in the future, including accidents, injuries, and even loss of life. Just a few seconds of distraction can lead to a lifetime of regret.

Teens are not the only ones affected by the bad habits of texting and driving. Since teens are still learning to become a part of society, they carry these bad habits with them as they get older. Texting and driving is a form of distracted driving; it pulls a driver’s eyes off the road and takes their mind elsewhere. These habits, if not addressed early, can persist into adulthood, leading to a lifetime of risky driving behavior. The ingrained connection to smartphones causes unnecessary risks that could be easily avoided on the roads. A second is all it takes to make a life-altering decision that could have been avoided. Ending bad habits, such as being on a smartphone while driving, makes roads much easier and can decrease distractions while driving. Parents and educators play a crucial role in this by setting a good example and educating teens about the dangers of texting and driving.

Bad driving habits like texting while driving can lead to serious legal consequences. Many jurisdictions have strict laws against distracted driving, with penalties ranging from hefty fines to license suspension. Possible fatalities may not be what steers teens away from texting and driving, but going against the law should be a deterrent. Laws have been enacted at the state, national, and possibly local levels to reduce the number of users who text and drive. Many states classify it as a primary offense, meaning a police officer can pull someone over solely for texting while driving.

Combating this issue requires more than just telling teens to “put the phone down.” It calls for education, technology restrictions, and cultural shifts that make safe driving the norm, not the exception. As laws become stricter, teens must understand that their actions behind the wheel are not just risky but can also lead to lifelong legal consequences. A momentary glance at a phone can result in criminal charges, a lost license, or worse. With a moment of pause. With a decision to stay present. Because no message, no meme, no notification is worth more than a life.