Educated Driving

Distracted driving is a big problem in the US today being the leading cause of teen deaths. Distracted driving is when you take your attention away from driving and focus it on anything else. Examples of this include checking one’s phone, eating, talking on the phone, and many other things. I will tell you about how I have experienced being distracted from an outsider’s and an insider’s point of view while expressing the importance of being a responsible driver.

Driving in the dark is one of the many fears I have. On one particular night, I had to drive home from work on a snowy night at 7 pm in January. We closed the store early due to the roads being so bad. Right before closing I got off the phone with my dad telling me to be careful on the roads because of the slick ice. It was dark and the roads were icy. My friend came in to stay with me until I closed, she said she would wait until my car windows defrosted from all the ice and snow plastered on them. We have known each other long enough for her to understand my irrational fear of driving in bad weather conditions. After scraping my car off and waiting for the majority of the ice to finally melt off we parted ways. As I leave the parking lot I feel my car slip a bit as I step on the brakes. The blood drained from my body as I realized my irrational fear was quite rational and I was scared to make my way home. At last, I realized I did not want to spend my night in the parking lot of my place of employment so I put on my big girl pants and went on my way home. The drive from work to my house is about 5 minutes. 5 minutes is not long, yet I felt like I was driving for eternity. To get home I have to go through 4 roundabouts, as I am creeping through my 2nd roundabout, I peek up at my rearview mirror to see a giant black truck coming behind me at full speed, I can see through their car because their ceiling door light was on. Seeing through the car I was able to get a glimpse of the person’s visor covering their face from the view of the road. I quickly slip into the other lane, fearful of my car hydroplaning from the icy roads. I pumped the brakes hoping for a smooth recovery from the drastic change in direction and got as I wanted. I see the truck trying to slow down and also making a timely recovery as well. I was scared for my life. Shaking the rest of the way home I made it home with no bumps or scratches but a pit in my stomach. I think to myself “What if I did not see that car coming?” or “What if the driver was driving more recklessly?” I will never know what that driver was doing in that car but I will always know they had obstructed their view, distracting them from driving; thus putting themself and others at risk on the road. 5 Minutes is not that long, but so much can happen in that period and more people need to realize that what they do not just affects themselves but others as well.

I have fallen victim to distracted driving myself. Whether it be eating or trying to change a song. I recall a specific memory of myself attempting to eat while driving my car. I had just left a smoothie cafe after my soccer practice. I got a smoothie along with a buffalo chicken wrap burrito to suffice my hunger right before I made my way to my mandatory after-practice weightlifting class. I was in a rush since I was not necessarily supposed to be stopping for a mid snack so one could say I was speeding a bit. As I speed off to my class I am trying to eat my wrap while also paying attention to the road and the directions on my phone. I take my first bite of my wrap and immediately drop it on my lap. It was scolding hot. Burning my mouth and now my tongue I realized I was not paying attention to the amount of pressure I was putting on the gas. I look up to find myself slamming on the brakes screeching a stop right behind a blue Toyota Camry. I decided to pull over to the nearby donut shop’that was on the way and clean myself up. I took a deep breath, put my wrap back in its bag, and got back on my way. I was very shaken up from the experience thinking to myself “What if I did not look up in time?” and “What if I kept my focus on my burning limbs?” Even without realizing it, I can become a danger to the people around me by being a distracted driver on the road.

There are many factors when trying to stay focused when driving. Keeping your attention on the task at hand being driving will benefit yourself and everyone around you by creating a safer environment on the road. One of many ways to stay focused when driving is putting all distractions away. Do not go on your phone while on the road and do not eat or drink. Another way to keep from distracted driving is to be a defensive driver. Defensive driving is being cautious and aware of your surroundings. Not making dangerous turns or trying to speed and make it through a yellow light are key ways to becoming a defensive driver and being safer on the road. Lastly, another way to keep from being a distracted driver is to get enough sleep. Being tired behind the wheel can cause you to be less aware of your surroundings putting you and others at risk. If taking a long trip make sure to take breaks to keep from the risk of crashing due to lack of sleep

Distracted driving can put you and others at risk of injury or loss of life. By understanding driving protocols and keeping your attention directed on driving you can avoid casualties and help take down the leading cause of teen deaths in America today.