Phone Down Home Run

Before I could even drive, I was impacted by a commercial made by Ryan Zimmerman, one of my favorite players on the Washington Nationals baseball team at the time. In this ad, Ryan Zimmerman talked about how much he loved his family and how no text or call in the car was worth compromising their safety. In this commercial, I learned that one in five accidents is caused by distracted driving and that one text alone could mean “game over.” Ryan Zimmerman’s slogan “Phone down, home run” became something my family often repeated to remind each other of how important it was to focus on the road while driving. Several years later, after obtaining my own license, I have learned even more about what it takes to be a responsible, safe driver.

Before I obtained my learner’s permit, I was required to take a driver’s education class in high school. Driver’s education is important because it teaches you how to make good decisions and reduce risks on the road. Those who have not taken driver’s education are more likely to get traffic violations and be involved in car crashes. In driver’s education, I learned the laws and rules of the road, such as who has the right of way in an intersection or roundabout. I learned the responsibilities that come with operating a motor vehicle, such as how it is important to keep speed down and share the road with other drivers and pedestrians. I was also taught defensive driving tips, like how to pay full attention to the road ahead and be aware of my surroundings, maintain distance, and react in an emergency. Most importantly, I learned that you cannot depend on other drivers to follow the rules of the road. In my neighborhood alone, I have witnessed how many people do not come to full stops at stop signs and stop lights. I was almost hit by another car on Route 28, but by driving defensively, I avoided an accident.

One of the most common causes of collisions is distracted driving. As I continue to gain driving experience, I have learned that there are a lot of decisions you must make on the road, and therefore, it is very important to focus on the road and keep my hands on the wheel. One of the ways I minimize distractions is to limit the number of passengers I drive in the car so as not to become distracted. In addition, the risk of having a car crash goes up ninety-five percent when you reach for your phone; therefore, to be safe, I personally prevent texting while driving in many ways. One step I take to be a better and safer driver, as well as help others become safer on the road, is to put my phone out of reach in the car. When I plug my phone into the car charger, the setting on my car disables the sound of incoming calls and texts so as not to distract the driver. Similarly, one could put their phone on airplane or do not disturb mode while driving. When I am going somewhere that requires me to use Google Maps, I check the directions before I leave the house and enter the address into my app before I start to drive. I also place my phone in a dash mount so that it is handsfree but in my field of view.

There are many apps that can be used to prevent texting while driving. I have Life 360 installed on my phone. My parents have strict rules against using my phone in the car, and using this app, they can see how often my phone is picked up. I am aware of other apps that lock your phone if it detects you are driving as well. People have a habit of checking their messages frequently, and many people may think this is safe to do this quickly, but an interesting fact I learned is that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when you take your eyes off the road for five seconds driving at 55 MPH, that is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Another way to prevent distracted driving is to pull over to the side of the road or ask a passenger, like a friend or sibling, to respond to a text if it cannot wait until you have arrived at your destination. In addition, I send texts or make calls before I begin a trip.

Teenagers, specifically aged sixteen and seventeen, like myself, and newly licensed drivers are the most likely to get into accidents, due to their inexperience on the road. Though I’ve had my license for a year now, whenever possible, I continue to gain experience in new situations with an adult, usually, my dad, on new roads and highways so that I may learn to handle dangerous situations with a more experienced driver. For example, I am still learning to drive longer distances on the interstate, where there are often many trucks merging in and out of traffic. I am learning to ignore aggressive drivers and to not take chances on the road. I also practice driving in different weather conditions and in a variety of vehicles, whenever possible. Recently, I drove in the snow for the first time. The more I drive, the more skills I acquire, and the more confident I become.

I have witnessed many people in my area driving irresponsibly. I can easily tell when other drivers are on their phones because they often drive erratically, above or below the speed limits, and swerve in and out of their lanes. I get nervous when others use their phones while driving me in the car as well. I have been in several taxi cabs, where the drivers have answered calls or entered addresses into their phones while driving, and it has even made me fear for my life at times. My driver’s education teacher told us a heartbreaking story about a distracted driver less than a mile down the road from our school, who had hit and killed a five month old baby in a crosswalk. In addition, there have been several accidents very close to my home that have involved drunk driving and high speeds. I refuse to get into the car with anyone who has been drinking or who may be distracted.

When I received my driver’s license in January 2023, I promised my parents and myself that I would drive carefully. My parents always told me that driving was a privilege, and I assured them that I would continue to follow the rules and demonstrate that I was responsible. I continue to be a role model to others, especially my younger sister who will be learning to drive soon, by putting safety first, concentrating on the road, and avoiding distractions.