Drive Safe. Save Lives.

Drive Safe. Save Lives.

Lauryn Johnson

Safe driving. It is a skill that all licensed drivers should strive for. Unfortunately, It is something that many take for granted. Personally, it became even more important after I was involved in a car accident two years ago. Although I wasn’t driving our car when we were rear ended by a reckless driver, it was still an experience that occurred early on in my “driving career” that taught me the importance of safe driving.

As a relatively young driver, there are many distractions that I have to actively avoid in order to reach my destination safely and in one piece! One of my main distractions I work to avoid is my cell phone. In addition to the ringing and alerts that occur if I don’t silence my phone, it is equally tempting to pick up the phone when waiting at a stop light. Both of these distractions can take your eyes off of the road and make a simple drive extremely dangerous!

Another distraction I struggle with is regulating the type and volume of music on the car radio when I am driving. It is so easy to quickly change the radio station or turn the volume up, but these simple actions can put so many people at risk, even those who aren’t in the car with you! Additionally, loud music can impair your sense of hearing when on the road. It is critical that we are able to hear other cars and emergency vehicles when driving.

To combat these distractions, we must actively choose to eliminate them! One of the main ways I practice safe driving is by putting my phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode and in my car’s center console whenever I am driving. This eliminates the all too common distraction of cell phones and the pesky notifications that can remove your attention away from the road.

Another way I practice safe driving is by limiting distractions within my car. This includes keeping the radio and air conditioning turned down so I can hear other drivers and people around me. This is especially important when emergency vehicles are on the road, because without hearing or seeing them, drivers are not able to correctly follow the law and give these vehicles the right of way. Additionally, making sure lights, mirrors, and windows are all in working condition allows me to drive and safely arrive at my destination.

Many people claim that they practice safe driving, but to truly practice safe driving, one must make a conscious choice to change bad habits. Distractions like texting and turning the radio too loud while driving can be the difference between a safe experience and one that ends in tragedy. Safe driving is so important to our communities, not only because it saves lives, but also because it creates a more peaceful driving experience. We can never eliminate human mistakes when it comes to driving, but when we practice safe driving we can preserve lives and our peace of mind!