Turn Down the Volume

As a new driver, I’ve run into some bumps along the road when it comes to driving without distractions. It’s easy to get caught up in the glamor of driving without a parent/guardian. It makes you feel so independent, so free, but with that newfound independence and freedom, comes great responsibility. There were times when I felt myself lose focus because of distractions caused by my own doing. This included listening to loud music and having conversations while actively driving.

When I first got my license, I made it an important part of my checklist to play music obnoxiously loud. I was excited and wanted to show off (as most teenagers do). While driving, an ambulance whirred in the distance. With my windows up, it felt as if I was in a studio. I couldn’t hear anything else except for the words of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”. I found myself having to move my vehicle at a moment’s notice. I turned down the music and listened as other cars honked at me for not moving out of the way fast enough. Blood started to rush to my face as I realized the situation I had put myself in. My passive driving had stopped first responders from getting to their emergency. Someone’s life could’ve been at risk and I was mindless enough to slow down their response.

From that point on I kept my radio’s volume low enough for me to hear the engine of the car. Before that lesson, I undermined the importance of keeping your ears open when driving. My parents always highlighted the importance of staying off the phone but failed to mention how a driver’s hearing is another crucial way to prevent accidents from happening. Say a car is coming from behind you on the street and its tires are making screeching noises, those said noises could alert you about the actions the car is going to take. To put it in simple terms, it’s almost like having an “audible blinker.” If someone is going to merge in my lane, there’s a chance that I will hear them before I see them. All in all, driving is a skill that requires the activation of all senses.

Another risk some new drivers take is driving people outside their families before their 6 months have ended. Commonly, new drivers tend to overestimate their true driving skills. I have overestimated my driving ability and foolishly disregarded that rule completely in the past. In doing so, I have not only put others’ lives at risk but mine as well. Driving with friends is a different beast if you’re not completely focused. It’s easy to get lost in conversation. One second you’re laughing and BOOM. You’ve rear-ended somebody over a joke that wasn’t even all that funny. It’s ultimately best to follow the 6-month rule because when driving, you rather be safe than sorry.

Living in Atlanta has taught me that it’s important to stay aware of my surroundings at all times because I should not trust other drivers to make up for my lack of attentiveness. Someone could be as distracted as I am and it could lead to a fatal crash that could ruin the lives of the people that love me most. The distraction of phones has made driving more dangerous than before. I’ve noticed drivers completely blinded by their cellular devices and it’s upsetting because they understand the danger of driving distracted. There is no room in today’s society for people to be ignorant about this harrowing topic.

Sometimes I dread driving because the roads have become so chaotic since the pandemic. Many people are distracted by texting, calling, or endlessly scrolling on TikTok.

It has made me feel as though people don’t care about the people that wait for them at home. The heart-shattering statistics of people dying in crashes because of distracted driving have littered my social media feeds. No text, call, or video is worth a person’s entire life and yet so many drivers act as if they have nine lives.

From my time driving, I advise new drivers to STAY OFF THE PHONE. If getting in contact with someone is important, pull over! It might seem unnecessary but this could save your life. Next, TURN DOWN THE VOLUME. Music is great and should be listened to when the car is stationary. Driving while listening to “Tokyo Drift” isn’t the best idea as it could lead to speeding and amateur drifting. Stay safe because your return home matters.