Distracted Driving: One Look Away from Disaster

It was a normal Tuesday. Driving to school on a comfortable and familiar highway. Every bump and divot in the road well known. Her favorite play list is playing on the radio. Watching for deer and the occasional turkey in all the expected spots. My friend and Francine, her Chevrolet Equinox, driving the same route she has been for years. It was a normal Tuesday, until it wasn’t. She didn’t see the car behind her, the girl on her phone, speeding to the same school as her. My friend signaled and braked to make her turn, unfortunately, the girl behind her, distracted by her phone, did not touch her brakes. One of my best friends was hit from behind at 65 miles per hour. Her car spun from the impact and came to rest in the ditch. Francine, her trusted vehicle, was in pieces and beyond repair. My friend, although shaken, was alive thanks to her seat belt and air bag. Distracted driving could have taken someone very important to me that day. This incident has changed the way my friends and I view driving.

How do we stop this? This question ran through my head after the accident. We all took a driver’s education course and learned the rules of the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens age 16-19 than any other age group. Teens are not best at recognizing dangerous situations or making errors that can prove to be critical. At some point in time, everyone has been guilty of using their phone. It could be as simple as accessing a music playlist or accessing a map to route to a destination. Since my friend’s accident, I have been diligent about making sure my phone is put down.

Silence that phone. I started by silencing my phone while driving. If I’m not receiving alerts, I am not tempted to look at my phone. This is simple but if this is still too tempting put the phone in the back seat or somewhere not accessible. There are also cell phone blocking apps that can disable the phone from making calls, accessing the internet, or sending a text while the car is moving. These apps will send a message if someone tries to call or send you a text alerting them that you are driving.

Map those routes before starting that car. This begins with being aware of your trip and destination. If there is any doubt about where you are going, plug the address into the GPS before shifting that car into drive. This involves a little bit of planning but can eliminate the frustration of feeling lost or being tempted to try to program a map while driving.

Pick that favorite playlist before moving that car. Decide what music you are feeling and plan the drive. It may be a playlist or even a genre of music that is hitting that day. Often, I know what I’m feeling when I get up in the morning. Country, rock, classical, I have a playlist for it all. Select a mix for those days that it is harder to decide. Simple planning eliminates the distraction.

The role of the seat belt: simple but inconsistent. Teens are less likely to wear a seat belt when driving or riding as a passenger. The CDC has found that 56% of teen drivers and passengers aged 16-19 years old killed in car accidents were not wearing seat belts. This safety measure is so simple. Seat belts are the best defensive in a vehicle against impaired, distracted, or aggressive drivers. Seat belts not only save lives but prevent serious injury. As we used to sing when I was a little girl, “buckle up for safety, buckle up”.

Drivers’ education: the key to safe driving success? The focus of drivers ed is much more than the basics of comprehensive traffic laws and road signs. Drivers’ education teaches driver responsibility behind the wheel. This is emphasized right from the start. It focuses heavily on the consequences of distracted and impaired driving. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, taking your eyes off the road for only 5 seconds at 55 miles per hour is equivalent to traveling the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Drivers’ education programs focus heavily on defense driving techniques. This can help the young driver to anticipate dangerous situations and avoid risks which in turn reduces the likelihood of a crash. Weather related safe driving is also a valuable tool especially in my state of South Dakota. One minute the roads may be clear and dry and in a matter of minutes roads can become slippery and dangerous. Anticipation of these events is critical to driving success.

As a teen, I have a responsibility to be the best messenger for my peers. It is my responsibility to speak up if a witness to distracted driving or make a friend pledge that is signed to never drive distracted. Friends can hold each other responsible. Put the phone down. If you must use your phone when driving, pull over and park your car first. Distracted driving is only one look away from disaster.