Texting While Driving

Explain the ways that you personally prevent texting while driving. What preventative measures do you take that you believe other people should also be taking? How do you intend to spread these ideas?

I recently passed my driver license exam. The driving instructor I had was very knowledgeable, one thing that stood out during our time together he said to me driving is a privilege not a right and it’s important that you be safe and a responsible diver. These days we are more distracted than ever before.

I’ve been driving for about a month now. I learned that I’m driving for myself and others. I learned that as a defensive driver I must be aware of what other drivers are doing and expect the unexpected. As a new driver I should assume other drivers could be distracted while driving their vehicle. So, I’m caution and looking out to avoid any potential accidents.

I’m from Chicago being a new driver, I have experience driving in the winter months; one thing I’ve learned is to reduce my speed during those times and be on the lookout for black ice. Driving is a skilled and some people have it, others don’t. It is a skill that can be learned, it’s a thinking task you have a lot going on and sometimes must be quick with making sudden decisions when behind the wheel.

As a new driver I find it hard sometime to not check my phone when I get text messages. My car has Bluetooth connection, I connect my phone to the car Bluetooth system for hands-fee calling and voice commands, to reduce the need for me to touch my phone. We rely on our phones for so many things some may find it difficult to resist looking at their phone when they get a text message, I am guilty of that. I’ve created ways to help me become better at preventing texting while driving. There are things that we do when we get into a car that are automatic, such as locking the doors, putting your seatbelt on, checking your mirrors, putting my phone away has become part of my routine habit before I pull off. Being a new driver, I find it very difficult and distracting to text and drive, I can’t believe how so many people can do it.

There are other things that we can do as well such as:

1. Activate Do Not Disturb mode on your phone.

2. Making a pack with your friends and family to help keep each other accountable.

3. Apps for Safe Driving.

4. Keep in the back of your mind the benefits of driving focused on the road and not distracted.

I’m very cautious and aware when driving, there are so many things that are going on around the road today. You have construction workers, pedestrians walking in and out of traffic and other motor vehicles and you’re also sharing the road with people riding bicycles. Taking all of that into consideration I find it very important to pay attention to what’s going on when driving.

Let’s review some statistics, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

1. Districted drivers contribute to 3,522 fatalities during 2021 or 8% of all traffic fatalities.

2. In the state of Illinois, my home state, we had 171 fatal crashes so far this year from distracted driving.

3. Texting makes a crash up to 23 times more likely.

4. Teens who text while driving spend 10% of the time outside of their lane.

5. According to AT&T teens driver survey 97% of teens agree that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 43% do it anyway.

6. 19% of drivers of all ages admit to surfing the web while driving.

Consequences of texting while driving:

1. Points on your driving records.

2. Suspension of your driving license.

3. Revocation of driving license.

4. All of which can cost you money.

5. Deaths and injuries

So, I ask myself what is more important getting from point A to B safely or responding back to a text that can wait. It’s important that we prioritize safety to avoid being involved in a fatal accident or altering someone else’s life or mines.

I plan to encourage my family and friends to implement these changes in their driving routine. I will ask them to sign an agreement to not drive and text, share messages on social media to spread the word. Speaking up, when I see someone texting and driving, bring awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and being an example to others to follow.

In conclusion texting is the most irresponsible distraction, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. Consider yourself part of a team and you are running a 400-meter dash and Usain Bolt’s is on the opposing team. By the time you look back at the track he will be 245 feet ahead of you. Now consider driving a car at 55 miles per hour with your eyes closed for five seconds, that would be the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Is reading or sending a text worth it for yourself or someone else? The text can wait.