Combating Driving Related Deaths

There are nearly 1.25 million deaths each year from car crashes.
Personally, I believe that the main step to reduce that numbers is
controlling distracted driving. That doesn’t happen from seeing a
commercial, or hearing a radio ad, or even a billboard. It starts by
seeing the action happening around you. If your parents/guardians,
friends, aunts, uncles, etc. are texting and driving or messing with
the radio and driving you are seeing others who are distracted while
driving. These actions become “normal” and then when you are old
enough to drive you follow in their footsteps. Good examples need to
be set by the peers and role models so that upcoming drivers don’t
think its okay to be distracted while driving. That one text you want
to send can wait until you arrive to your destination. That life you
take because you accidentally cross the center line is going to weigh
heavy on you for the rest of your life and can make you suffer the
horrible consequences. Even worse, your own life is more important
than that text, the drink rolling around the back seat that you want,
or even changing that song you just really cannot stand. Make a step
list of what you would need to do before you put your car in drive.
Text your parent/guardian and let them know you are leaving and will
text them when you get there, also text your friends and significant
others and let them know you’re driving you’ll text them later,
put your phone on do not disturb and put it in your pocket or in a
mount, put any drink you need in the cupholder, pick your station,
buckle up and then head out to your destination. Your life or someone
else’s life is not worth losing over a text or a call or whatever
else you think needs to happen while you are driving. Think about
your loved ones the next time you think about picking up your phone
behind the wheel. What if that’s your mom or dad you hit or someone
distracted hits. Think about the outcome and decide if it’s really
worth it. Also, as a passenger in the car make it a point to keep the
drive focused on the road. Answer their phone for them, change the
station or song for them, hand them their drink, whatever it may be
so that they can maintain focus on the road and keep you and anyone
else on the road safe.