The Cost is too High to Neglect Solving Distracted Driving

There are over 36,000 deaths every year from car accidents in the US. Distracted driving, such as texting or adjusting music accounts for 2,400 of those fatalities. These statistics are so large that they don’t feel personal. There’s 328 million people in the US, so what are the chances of distracted driving affecting me or the people I love? In reality, many of us have already been or will be affected by a car accident. How many of those deaths could have been prevented if drivers were better educated?

Recently, I moved to California and I needed to pass the written exam in order to get a new license. I chose to study even though I thought I was already a good driver. I was unpleasantly surprised how much I’d forgotten! It’s fortunate that I studied; I learned a lot. After this I wondered – if driving laws are always changing, why do people only take drivers ed once?

Our culture could take several steps to reduce car accident deaths with recurring driver training. Insurance companies could offer better rates for those who take yearly driving classes. States could introduce laws that require remedial training for those who are at fault in a vehicle accident. Lawmakers should consider mandatory recurring drivers ed for everyone, perhaps every 5-10 years. The curriculum should include real cases and personal testimonies from people who’ve been in, caused, or suffered due to distracted driving.

I’ve been personally involved in three distracted driving accidents. In the first accident, my mother was rushing home on a rainy night. But a telephone pole helped us slow down. I hit my head and my 3-year-old sister nearly became a quadriplegic. In the second accident, the other driver missed a stop sign and slammed into my passenger door and again, I hit my head. The driver in the third accident misjudged the timing of a u-turn due to stress. The oncoming car slammed into my passenger door, yet again causing a head injury. In all three cases, I know it could have been much worse for me. I’m fortunate and very grateful that I only have minor brain damage. 

Despite being involved in several serious car accidents, I’ve still developed bad driving habits. While doing research for this essay I took a hard look at my driving safety. Sometimes I try to find an address using Google Maps while driving and other times I’m distracted by trying to find the perfect song. I could take steps to become a safer driver by eliminating those habits and continuing my drivers ed. I don’t want to be that person who looked down for one second and caused an accident.

There are too many distracted driving deaths. These aren’t just statistics – they are people’s friends and family members. The driving laws are always changing; therefore, drivers should refresh their training every few years. The cost is too high. Our culture must take driving seriously by better educating ourselves to drive responsibly and safely.