Put the Phone Away

Imagine this, you become friends with a visitor from an unknown planet, (Silly, I know, but bear with me), and you start asking them about their society and how things work. They explain to you that they climb inside floating rocks to get from point A to point B and move in densely packed lines of other floating rocks. You learn that they rely on an unwritten agreement that all of the other floating rocks will stay inside two-dimensional barriers, that do not offer any real separation. The floating rocks are free to go in any direction they choose, as long as they follow a color code displayed in the sky. The paths are often crowded, busy, and large signs are posted that are designed to catch rock operator’s eyes. After all of this, you are then informed that not everyone on their planet is required to learn how to operate their floating rocks, but simply learn from watching other operators. “How chaotic!” you explain, and realize the parallels between these floating rocks, and the evening commute in your 2006 Toyota Corolla.

Imagine explaining the American transportation system to someone who has never touched a car before. It would sound surprisingly similar to the short story shared above. Cars are dangerous, and our society has become too casual with how they ought to be operated. Through drivers’ education, students are able to get a glimpse into the importance of safe and responsible driving, simply because drivers ed does more than just teach people how to drive.

A specific video is burned into my mind from when I went through drivers ed. The video depicted a man who had pulled his phone out on the road to text his wife, “I love you”. At that moment, the little screen in his hand took his eyes away from a young Amish buggy traveling ahead of him. He tells about the horrific experience of crashing into them and seeing their lifeless bodies on the side of the road. This story was traumatizing for me to hear. I remember sobbing in my pillow as my heart ached for both sides of the accident. I refused to practice driving for weeks, scared I would make a mistake and hurt others too. Once I got back behind the wheel, I vowed to never be result of such a tragedy.

Among other things, drivers’ education makes operators aware of the distractions that so often consume our thoughts. The little computers that we carry around in our pockets offer endless information and entertainment, to the extent that we tend to have a hard time functioning without them. In fact, I have been a victim of pulling out my phone at a red light or attempting to take a picture of something I saw while driving. All dangerous.

One day in particular, while I was picking up supplies for my job as an activity’s assistant at our family’s care center, I pulled out my phone for what seemed like less than a moment. I was traveling along a road that I commuted on three to four times daily. Needless to say, I felt overly confident on that road and found myself getting bored. On this summer day in particular, my go-to street had been torn up for construction. This meant that an unprecedented stop was now in place about halfway from my house to where I worked. This also happened to be the time I decided to check my phone. The combination ended with the front of my car going through the back of the car in front of me. How could I be so careless? The sorrow that filled my heart was indescribable. I had broken a vow I had made to myself and put others at risk.

Like we all must do, I dusted off my pants and got back up. The fun little red car that was taking me around was replaced with a blue one. I started paying for my insurance and cleaning out distractions. I needed to change. My phone now has a designated spot, out of sight and out of mind. I have new playlists to shuffle through, so I am not tempted to change the song. I tell my loved ones where I am going before I leave and ask them not to call until I get my destination safely. My whole mindset has changed, and I’ve promised that my first accident will be my last accident.

Stay safe. Buckle up. Put the phone away.